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11 

El KflN BA2IAIKH: 


TIIE 


POURTRAICTURE 


OF 


HIS SACRED MAJESTIE 

IN HIS 


SOLITUDES AND SUFFERING’S. 


“ More then Conquerour,” &c.—R om. viii. 


Bona agcre, et mail pati, Regium est. 


$ «> 

LONDON: M.DC.XLVII. 

RE-PRINTED FOR WILLIAM MONTAGUE, 

ISLINGTON. 


1831 . 




















V 







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CONTENTS. 


PAGE 

I. Upon His Majesties calling this last Parliament I 

II. Upon the Earle of Straffords Death. 7 

III. Upon His Majesties going to the House of 

Commons. 14 

IV. Upon the Insolency of the Tumults. 19 

V. Upon His Majesties passing the Bill for the Tri- 

enniall Parliaments: and after setling this, 
during the pleasure of the two Houses. 29 

VI. Upon His Majesties retirement from West¬ 

minster. 38 

VII. Upon the Queens departure, and absence out 

of England ,. ......’ . 46 

VIII. Upon His Majesties Repulse at Hull, and the 

Fates of the Hothams. 52 

IX. Upon the listing, and raising Armies against 

the King. (it) 

X. Upon their seizing the Kings Magazines, Forts, 

Navy, and Militia.... 74 

XI. Upon the Nineteen Propositions first sent to 

the King; and more afterwards. 84 

XII. Upon the Rebellion, and Troubles in Ireland 100 

XIII. Upon the calling in of the Scots, and their 

comming. 112 

XIV. Upon the Covenant. 123 

XV- Upon the many Jealousies raised, and Scandals 

cast upon the King, to stirre up the People 

against Him... 137 

A 2 

















CONTENTS. 


PAGE 

XVI. Upon the Ordinance against the Common- 

Prayer-Booke.155 

XVII. Of the differences between the King, and 
the two Houses, in point of Church-Go¬ 
vernment. 1GG 

XVIII. Upon Uxbridge-Treaty, and other Offers 

made by the King. 187 

XIX. Upon the various events of the Warre; 

Victories, and Defeats. 194 

XX. Upon the Reformations of the Times.204 

XXI. Upon His Majesties Letters, taken, and 

divulged.-. 213 

XXII. Upon His Majesties leaving Oxford, and 

going to the Scots.•. 221 

XXIII. Upon the Scots delivering the King to the 

English ; and His captivity at Holdenby 226 

XXIV. Upon their denying His Majesty the at¬ 
tendance of His Chaplaines.232 

XXV. Penitentiall Meditations and Vowes in the 

Kings Solitude at Holdenby.246 

XXVI. Upon the Armies surprisall of the King at 
Holdenby, and the ensuing Distractions 
in the two Houses, the Army, and the 

City.252 

XXVII. To the Prince of Wales... 261 

XXVIII. Meditations upon Death, after the Votes 
of Non-Addresses, and His Majesties 
closer Imprisonment in Carisbrooke- 
Castle. 283 













EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


I. UPON HIS MAJESTIES CALLING THIS LAST 
PARLIAMENT. 

This last Parliament I called, not more by others 
advice, and necessity of My affaires, than by My 
owne choice and inclination; who have alwaies 
thought the right way of Parliaments most safe 
for My crown, as best pleasing to My People : 
and although I was not forgetfull of those sparks, 
which some mens distempers formerly studied to 
kindle in Parliaments, (which by forbearing to 
convene for some yeares, I hoped to have extin¬ 
guished) yet resolving with My selfe to give all 
just satisfaction to modest and sober desires, and 
to redresseall publique grievances in Church and 
State; I hoped by My freedome, and their mo¬ 
deration, to prevent all misunderstandings and 
miscarriages in this : in which, as I feared affaires 

B 




2 


EIKSiN BA2IAIKIJ. 


would meet with some passion and prejudice in 
other men, so I resolved they should find least 
of them in My selfe; not doubting, but by the 
weight of reason I should counterpoize the over- 
ballancings of any factions. 

I was, indeed, sorry to heare with what par¬ 
tiality and popular heat elections were carried in 
many places; yet hoping that the gravity and 
discretion of other gentlemen would allay and 
fix the Commons to a due temperament, (guiding 
some mens wel-meaning zeale by such rules of 
moderation as are best both to preserve and re¬ 
store the health of all states and kingdomes :) no 
man was better pleased with the convening of 
this Parliament, then My selfe; who knowing 
best the largenesse of My owne heart toward My 
peoples good and just contentment, pleased My 
selfe most in that good and firme understanding, 
which would hence grow between Me and My 
people. 

All jealousies being laid aside. My owne and 
My childrens interests gave Me many obliga¬ 
tions to seek and preserve the love and welfare 
of My subjects. The onely temporall blessing 
that is left to the ambition of just monarchs, as 
their greatest honour and safety, next Gods pro- 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


3 


tection; I cared not to lessen My selfe in some 
things of My wonted prerogative ; since I knew I 
could be no loser, if 1 might gaine but a recom- 
pence in My subjects affections. 

I intended not onely to oblige My friends, but 
Mine enemies also : exceeding even the desires 
of those, that were factiously discontented, if 
they did but pretend to any modest and sober 
sense. 

The odium and offences which some mens ri¬ 
gour or remissnesse in Church and State, had 
contracted upon My Government, I resolved to 
have expiated by such lawes, and regulations for 
the future, as might not onely rectifie what was 
amisse in practice, but supply what was defec¬ 
tive in the constitution : no man having a greater 
zeale to see religion setled, and preserved in 
truth, unity, and order, then My selfe ; whom it 
most concernes both in piety, and policy ; as 
knowing, that, no flames of civil dissentions are 
more dangerous then those which make religious 
pretensions the grounds of factions. 

I resolved to reforme, what I should by free 
and full advice in Parliament be convinced to be 
amisse ; and to grant whatever My reason and 
conscience told Me, was fit to be desired ; I wish 

B 2 


4 


EIKQN IiASIAIKH. 


I had kept My selfe within those bounds,, and 
not suffered My owne judgment to have been 
over-borne in some things, more by others im¬ 
portunities, than their arguments; My confidence 
had lesse betrayed My selfe, and my kingdomes, 
to those advantages, which some men sought for, 
who wanted nothing but power, and occasion to 
do mischief. 

But our sinnes being ripe, there was no pre¬ 
venting of Gods justice, from reaping that glory 
in our calamities, which we robb’d him of in our 
prosperity. 

For thou ( O Ford) hast made us see, that resolu¬ 
tions of future reforming doe not alwayes satisfie thy 
justice, nor prevent thy vengeance for former mis¬ 
carriages . 

Our sinnes have overlaid our hopes; thou hast 
taught us to depend on thy mercies to forgive, not on 
our purpose to amend . 

When thou hast vindicated thy glory by thy judg¬ 
ments, and hast shewed us, how unsafe it is to offend 
thee, upon presumptions afterwards to please thee; 
then I trust thy mercies will restore those blessings 
to us, which ice have so much abused, as to force thee 
to deprive us of them . 


EIK12N BA2IAIKH. 


5 


For want of timely repentance of our sinnes, thou 
givest us cause to repent of those remedies tee too late 
apply. 

Yet I doe not repent of My calling this last Par¬ 
liament; because, O Lord, I did it with an upright 
intention, to Thy glory, and My peoples good. 

The miseries which have ensued upon Me and My 
kingdomes, are the just effects of thy displeasure 
upon us ; and may be yet (through thy mercy) pre¬ 
paratives of us to future blessings, and better hearts 
to enjoy them . 

O Lord, though thou hast deprived us oj' many 
former comforts; yet grant Me and My people the 
benefit oj' our afflictions, and thy chastisements; that 
thy rod as well as thy staffe may comfort us: then 
shall we dare to account them the strokes not of an 
enemy, but a J'ather: when thou givest us those 
humble affections, that measure of patience in repen¬ 
tance, which becomes thy children ; I shall have no 
cause to repent the miseries this Parliament hath oc¬ 
casioned, when by them thou hast brought Me and 
My people, unfeignedly to repent of the sinnes we 
have committed. 

Thy grace is infinitely better with our sufferings, 
then our peace could be with our sinnes. 

O thou sovereign goodnesse and whdomc, who 


6 


E1KS2N BA2IAIKH. 


qver-rulest all our counsels; over-rule also all our 
hearts; that the ivorse things we suffer by thy jus¬ 
tice, the better we may be by thy mercy . 

As our sinnes have turned our antidotes into poy- 
son, so let thy grace turne our poysons into anti¬ 
dotes. 

As the sinnes of our peace disposed us to this un¬ 
happy warre, so let this warre prepare us for thy 
blessed peace. 

That although I have but troublesome kingdomes 
here, yet I may attaine to that Kingdome of Peace 
in My heart, and in thy Heaven, which Christ hath 
purchased, and thou wilt give to thy Servant (tho a 
sinner)for my Saviours sake. Amen. 


EIKA2N BA21A1KH. 


7 


II. UPON THE EARLE OF STRAFFORD’S DEATH. 

I looked upon my Lord of Strafford, as a gen¬ 
tleman, whose great abilities might make a prince 
rather afraid, then ashamed to employ him, in 
the greatest affaires of state. 

For those were prone to create in him great 
confidence of undertakings, and this was like 
enough to betray him to great errours, and many 
enemies : whereof he could not but contract good 
store, while moving in so high a spheare, and 
with so vigorous a lustre, he must needs (as the 
sun) raise many envious exhalations, which con¬ 
densed by a popular odium, were capable to cast 
a cloud upon the brightest merit, and integrity. 

Though I cannot in My judgment approve all 
he did, driven (it may be) by the necessities of 
times, and the temper of that people, more then 
led by his owne disposition to any height and 
rigour of actions : yet I could never be convinced 
of any such criminousnesse in him, as willingly 
to expose his life to the stroke of Justice, and 
malice of his enemies. 

I never met with a more unhappy conjuncture 
of affaires, then in the businesse of that unfortu- 


8 


EIKQN BA2IA1KH. 


1 

nate Earle : when between My owne unsatisfied- 
nesse in conscience, and a necessity (as some 
told Me) of satisfying the importunities of some 
people; I was perswaded by those, that I think 
wished Me well, to chuse rather what was safe, 
than what seemed just; preferring the outward 
peace of My kingdomes with men, before that 
inward exactnesse of conscience before God. 

And indeed, I am so farre from excusing or 
denying that complyance on My part (for plenary 
consent it was not) to his destruction, whom in 
My judgment I thought not, by any cleare law, 
guilty of death : that I never bare any touch of 
conscience with greater regret: which, as a signe 
of My repentance, I have often with sorrow con¬ 
fessed both to God and men, as an act of so sin- 
full frailty, that it discovered more a feare of 
man, than of God, whose name and place on 
earth no man is worthy to beare, who will avoid 
inconveniences of state, by acts of so high injus¬ 
tice, as no publique convenience can expiate or 
compensate. 

I see it a bad exchange to wound a man’s owne 
conscience, thereby to salve state sores; to calme 
the stormes of popular discontents, by stirring 
up a tempest in a man’s owne bosome. 


EIKON BA2IA1KH. 


9 


Nor hath God’s justice failed in the event and 
sad consequences, to shew the world the fallacy 
of that maxime. Better one man perish (tho un¬ 
justly) then the people he displeased , or destroyed. 

For, in all likelyhood, I could never have suf¬ 
fered, with My people, greater calamities, (yet 
with greater comfort) had I vindicated Strafford's 
innocency, at least by denying to signe that de¬ 
structive bill, according to that justice, which 
My conscience suggested to Me, then I have 
done since I gratified some mens unthankful 
importunities with so cruell a favour. And I 
have observed, that those, who counselled Me to 
signe that bill, have been so farre from receiving 
the rewards of such ingratiatings with the peo¬ 
ple, that no men have been harassed and crushed 
more then they : he onely hath been least vexed 
by them, who counselled Me, not to consent 
against the vote of My owne conscience ; I hope 
God hath forgiven Me and them, the sinful rash- 
nesse of that businesse. 

To which being in My soule so fully con¬ 
scious, those judgments God hath pleased to 
send upon Me, are so much the more welcome, 
as a meanes (I hope) which his mercy hath sanc¬ 
tified so to Me, as to make Me repent of that 


10 


EIKQN JBA2IA1KH. 


unjust act, (for so it was to Me) and for the 
future to teach Me, that the best rule of policy 
is to preferre the doing of justice, before all en¬ 
joyments, and the peace of My conscience before 
the preservation of My kingdomes. 

Nor hath any thing more fortified My resolu¬ 
tions against all those violent importunities, 
which since have sought to gaine a like consent 
from Me, to acts, wherein My conscience is un¬ 
satisfied, then the sharp touches I have had for 
what passed Me in My Lord of Strafford's busi- 
nesse. 

Not that I resolved to have employed him in 
My affaires, against the advice of My Parlia¬ 
ment, but I would not have had any hand in his 
death, of whose guiltlesnesse I was better as¬ 
sured, then any man living could be. 

Nor were the crimes objected against him so 
cleare, as after a long and faire hearing to give 
convincing satisfaction to the major part of both 
Houses; especially that of the Lords, of whom 
scarce a third part were present, when the Bill 
passed that House: and for the House of Com¬ 
mons, many gentlemen, disposed enough to di¬ 
minish My Lord of Strafford's greatnesse and 
power, yet unsatisfied of his guilt in law, durst 


EIKQN BA2IAIKI1. 


11 


not condemne him to die : who for their integrity 
in their votes, were by posting their names, ex¬ 
posed to the popular calumny, hatred, and fury ; 
which grew then so exorbitant in their clamours 
for justice , (that is, to have both My selfe and 
the two Houses vote, and doe as they would 
have us) that many (’tis thought) were rather 
terrified to concurre with the condemning party, 
then satisfied that of right they ought so to doe. 

And that after act vacating the authority of 
the precedent, for future imitation, sufficiently 
tells the world, that some remorse touched even 
his most implacable enemies, as knowing he had 
very hard measure, and such as they would be 
very loath should be repeated to themselves. 

This tenderness and regret I find in My soule, 
for having had any hand (and that very unwil¬ 
lingly God knowes) in shedding one mansbloud 
unjustly (though under the colour and formalities 
of justice, and pretences of avoyding publique 
mischiefs) which may, I hope, be some evidence 
before God and man, to all posterity, that I am 
farre from bearing justly the vast load and guilt 
of all that bloud which hath been shed in this 
unhappy wan e; which some men will needs 
charge on Me, to ease their owne soules, who 


12 


EIKS2N BASIAIKH. 


am, and ever shall be, more afraid to take away 
any mans life unjustly, than to lose My owne. 

But thou , O God of infinite mercies, forgive Me 
that act of sinfull compliance, which hath greater 
aggravations upon Me then any man. Since I had 
not the least temptation of envie, or malice against 
him, and by My place should, at least so farre, have 
been a preserver of him, as to have denied my consent 
to his destruction. 

O Lord, I acknowledge My transgression, and 
My sin is ever before me. 

Deliver Me from bloud-guilt inesse O God, thou 
God of My salvation, and My tongue shall sing of 
thy righteousnesse. 

Against thee have I sinned, and done this evil in 
thy sight, for thou sawest the contradiction between 
My heart and My hand. 

Yet cast Me not away from thy presence, purge 
Me with the bloud of My Redeemer, and I shall be 
clean; wash Me with that pretious effusion, and I 
shall be whiter then snow. 

Teach Me to learn righteousnesse by thy judg¬ 
ments, and to see My frailty in thy justice: while 1 
was perswaded by shedding one mans blond to pre¬ 
vent after-troubles, thou hast for that, among other 


EIKQN B.4SIAIKH. 


13 


sin/ies, brought upon Me, and upon my kingdomes, 
great, long, and heavy troubles . 

Make Me to prefer justice, which is thy will, 
before all contrary clamours, which are but the dis¬ 
coveries of maiis injurious will. 

It is too much that they have once overcome Me, 
to please them by displeasing thee: O never suffer 
Me for any reason of state, to goe against my reason 
of conscience, which is highly to sinne against thee, 
the God of reason, and judge of our consciences. 

What ever, O Lord, thou seest fit to deprive Me 
of, yet restore unto Me the joy of thy salvation, and 
ever uphold Me with thy free spirit; which subjects 
My ivill to none, but thy light of reason, justice, and 
religion which shines in My soule, for thou desirest 
truth in the inward parts, and integrity in the out¬ 
ward expressions. 

Lord, hear the voice of thy Sons and My Sa¬ 
viours bloud, which speakes better things; O make 
me, and My people, to hear the voice of joy and 
gladnesse, that the bones which thou hast broken, 
may rejoyce in thy salvation. 


14 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


III. UPON HIS MAJESTIES GOING TO THE HOUSE OF 

COMMONS. 

My going to the House of Commons to demand 
justice upon the five members, was an act, which 
My enemies loaded with all the obloquies and 
exasperations they could. 

It filled indifferent men with great jealousies 
and feares; yea, and many of My friends re¬ 
sented it as a motion rising rather from passion 
then reason, and not guided with such discretion, 
as the touchinesse of those times required. 

But these men knew not the just motives, and 
pregnant grounds, with which I thought My 
selfe so furnished, that there needed nothing to 
such evidence, as I could have produced against 
those I charged, save onely a free and legall 
triall, which was all I desired. 

Nor had I any temptation of displeasure, or 
revenge against those mens persons, further 
then I had discovered those (as I thought) un¬ 
lawful correspondencies they had used, and en¬ 
gagements they had made, to embroyle my king- 
domes : of all which I missed but little to have 
produced writings under some mens owne hands. 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


lo 


who were the chief contrivers of the following 
innovations. 

Providence would not have it so, yet I wanted 
not such probabilities as were sufficient to raise 
jealousies in any Kings heart, who is not wholly 
stupid and neglectiveof the publique peace, which 
to preserve by calling in question half a dozen 
men, in a faire and legall way (which God knowes 
was all my design) could have amounted to no 
worse effect, had it succeeded, then either to do 
Me, and My kingdome right, in case they had 
been found guilty ; or else to have cleared their 
innocency, and removed my suspicions; which, 
as they were not,raised out of any malice, so 
neither were they in reason to be smothered. 

What flames of discontent this spark (tho 
I sought by all speedy and possible meanes to 
quench it) soon kindled, all the world is witnesse: 
the aspersion which some men cast upon that 
action, as if I had designed by force to assault 
the House of Commons, and invade their privi- 
ledge, is so false, that as God best knows, I had 
no such intent; so none that attended could 
justly gather from any thing I then said, or did, 
the least intimation of any such thoughts. 


ETKGN BASIAIKH. 


16 

That I went attended with some gentlemen, as 
it was no unwonted thing for the majesty and 
safety of a King so to be attended, especially in 
discontented times ; so were My followers at that 
time short of My ordinary guard, and no way 
proportionable to hazard a tumultuary conflict. 
Nor were they more scared at My comming, then 
I was un-assured of not having some affronts 
cast upon Me, if I had none with Me to preserve 
a reverence to Me ; for many people had (at that 
time) learned to think those hard thoughts, 
which they have since abundantly vented against 
Me, both by words and deeds. 

The summe of that businesse was this. 

Those men, and their adherents were then 
looked upon by the affrighted vulgar, as greater 
protectors of their lawes and liberties, then My 
selfe, and so worthier of their protection. I 
leave them to God, and their own consciences, 
who, if guilty of evill machinations; no present 
impunity, or popular vindications of them will 
be subterfuge sufficient to rescue them from 
those exact tribunalls. 

To which, in the obstructions of justice among 
men, we must religiously appeal, as being an 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


17 


argument to us Christians of that after unavoid¬ 
able judgment, which shall re-judge what among 
men is but corruptly decided, or not at all. 

I endeavoured to have prevented, if God had 
seen fit, those future commotions, which I fore¬ 
saw, would in all likelyhood follow some mens 
activity (if not restrained) and so now hath done 
to the undoing of many thousands, the more is 
the pity. 

But to over-awe the freedome of the Houses, 
or to weaken their just authority by any violent 
impressions upon them, was not at all My de- 
signe : I thought I had so much justice and rea¬ 
son on My side, as should not have needed so 
rough assistance ; and I was resolved rather to 
bear the repulse with patience, than to use such 
hazardous extremities. 

But thou , O Lord , art My witnesse in Heaven , 
and in My heart: if I have purposed any violence 
or oppression against the innocent: or if there were 
any such wickeduesse in My thoughts. 

Then let the enemy persecute My soule y and tread 
My life to the ground , and lay Mine honour in the 
dust. 

Thou that seest not as man seeth, but lookest be 

c 


18 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


yond all popular appearances, searching the heart, 
and trying the reines, and bringing to light the hidden 
things of darknesse, shew thy selfe. 

Let not My afflictions be esteemed (as with wise 
and godly men they cannot be) any argument of My 
sinne, in that matter; more then their impunity 
among good men is any sure token of their innocency. 

But forgive them wherein they have done amisse, 
though they are not punished for it in this ivorld. 

Save thy servant from the privy conspiracies, and 
open violence of bloudy and unreasonable men, ac¬ 
cording to the uprightnesse of My heart, and the in¬ 
nocency of My hands in this matter. 

Plead My cause, and maintain My right, O thou 
that sit test in the throne, judging rightly, that thy 
servant may ever rejoice in thy salvation. 


EIKS2N BA2IA1KH. 


19 


IV. UPON THE INSOLENCY OF THE TUMULTS. 

I never thought any thing (except our sins) 
more ominously presaging all these mischiefes, 
which have followed, then those tumults in Lon- 
don and Westminster, soon after the convening of 
this Parliament; which were not like a storm at 
sea, (which yet wants not its terror) but like an 
earth-quake, shaking the very foundations of all; 
then which nothing in the world hath more of 
horrour. 

As it is one of the most convincing arguments 
that there is a God, while his power sets bounds 
to the raging of the sea : so ’tis no lesse, that he 
restraines the madnesse of the people. Nor doth 
any thing portend more God’s displeasure against 
a nation, then when he suffers the confluence and 
clamours of the vulgar, to passe all boundaries of 
lawes, and reverence to authority. 

Which those tumults did to so high degrees of 
insolence, that they spared not to invade the 
honour and freedome of the two Houses, menac¬ 
ing, reproaching, shaking, yea, and assaulting 
some members of both Houses, as they fancyed, 
or disliked them : nor did they forbear most rude 
and unseemly deportments both in contemp- 

c 2 


/ 


20 E1KS2N BA21AIKH. 

tuous words and actions, to My selfe and My 
court. 

Nor was this a short fit or two of shaking, as 
an ague, but a quotidian feaver, alwayes encreas- 
ing to higher inflamations, impatient of any miti¬ 
gation, restraint, or remission. 

First, they must be a guard against those feares 
which some men scared themselves and others 
withall; when indeed nothing was more to be 
feared and lesse to be used by wise men, then 
those tumultuary confluxes of mean and rude 
people, who are taught first to petition, then to 
protect, then to dictate, at last to command and 
overawe the Parliament. 

All obstructions in Parliament (that is, all free- 
dome of differing in votes, and debating matters 
with reason and candour) must be taken away 
with these tumults: by these must the Houses 
be purged, and all rotten members (as they please 
to count them) cast out: by these the obstinacy 
of men resolved to discharge their consciences 
must be subdued, by these all factious, seditious, 
and schismaticall proposals against Government 
ecclesiasticall or civil, must be backed and 
abetted, till they prevailed. 

Generally, who ever had most mind to bring 





E1KQN BA2IAIKH. 


21 


forth confusion and mine upon Church and 
State, used the midwifery of those tumults; 
whose riot and impatience was such, that they 
would not stay the ripening and season of coun¬ 
sels, or fair production of acts, in the order, 
gravity, and deliberatenesse befitting a Parlia¬ 
ment ; but ripped up with barbarous cruelty, and 
forcibly cut out abortive votes, such as their in- 
viters and incouragers most fancyed. 

Yea, so enormous and detestable were their 
outrages, that no sober man could be without an 
infinite shame and sorrow to see them so to¬ 
lerated, and connived at by some, countenanced, 
incouraged, and applauded by others. 

What good man had not rather want any thing 
he most desired, for the publique good, then ob- 
taine it by such unlawfull and irreligious meanes ? 
But mens passions and Gods directions seldome 
agree ; violent designes and motions must have 
sutable engines, such as too much attend their 
owne ends, seldome confine themselves to Gods 
meanes. Force must crowd in, what reason will 
not lead. 

Who were the chief demagogues and patrones 
of tumults, to send for them, to flatter and em¬ 
bolden them, to direct and turne their clamorous 


22 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


importunities, some men yet living are too con¬ 
scious to pretend ignorance: God in his due 
time will let these see, that those were no fit 
meanes to be used for attaining his ends. 

But, as it is no strange thing for the sea to 
rage when strong winds blow upon it; so neither 
for multitudes to become insolent, when they 
have men of some reputation for parts and piety 
to set them on. 

That which made their rudenesse most formid¬ 
able, was, that many complaints being made, and 
messages sent by My selfe and some of both 
Houses ; yet no order for redresse could be ob¬ 
tained with any vigour and efficacy, proportion- 
able to the malignity of that now far-spread 
disease, and predominant mischief. 

Such was some mens stupidity, that they 
feared no inconvenience : others petulancy, that 
they joyed to see their betters shamefully out¬ 
raged, and abused, while they knew their onely 
security consisted in vulgar flattery : so insensi¬ 
ble were they of Mine, or the two Houses com¬ 
mon safety and honours. 

Nor could ever any order be obtained, im¬ 
partially to examine, censure, and punish the 
knowne Boutefeus, and impudent incendiaries. 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


23 


who boasted of the influence they had, and used 
to convoke those tumults as their advantages 
served. 

Yea, some (who should have been wiser states¬ 
men) owned them as friends, commending their 
courage, zeale, and industry; which to sober 
men would seem no better then that of the devil, 
who goes about seeking whom he may deceive, and 
devoure. 

I confesse, when I found such a deafnesse, 
that no declaration from the bishops, who were 
first fouly insolenced and assaulted; nor yet 
from other lords and gentlemen of honour; nor 
yet from My selfe could take place for the due 
repression of these tumults ; and securing not 
onely our freedome in Parliament, but our very 
persons in the streets ; I thought My selfe not 
bound by My presence, to provoke them to higher 
boldnesse and contempts; I hoped by My with¬ 
drawing to give time, both for the ebbing of 
their tumultuous fury, and others regaining some 
degrees of modesty and sober sense. 

Some may interpret it as an effect of pusilani- 
mity for any man for popular terrours to desert 
his publique station. But I think it a hardi- 
nesse, beyond true valour, for a wise man to set 


24 


EIKQN JJA2IAIKH. 


himselfe against the breaking in of a sea ; which 
to resist, at present, threatens imminent danger; 
but to withdraw, gives it space to spend its fury,, 
and gaines a fitter time to repaire the breach. 
Certainly a gallant man had rather fight to great 
disadvantages for number and place in the field, 
in an orderly way, then skuffle with an undis¬ 
ciplined rabble. 

Some suspected and affirmed that I meditated 
a warre, (when I went from White-hall onely to 
redeem My person, and conscience from vio¬ 
lence) God knowes, I did not then think of a 
warre. Nor will any prudent man conceive that 
I would by so many former, and some after acts, 
have so much weakned My selfe, if I had pur¬ 
posed to engage in a warre, which to decline by 
all means, I denied My selfe in so many particu¬ 
lars: ’tis evident I had then no army to flie unto, 
for protection, or vindication. 

Who can blame Me, or any other, for with¬ 
drawing our selves from the daily baitings of the 
tumults, not knowing whether their fury and dis¬ 
content might not flie so high, as to worry and 
teare those in pieces, whom as yet they but 
played with in their paws ? God, who is My sole 
judge, is My witnesse in Heaven, that I never 


EIKA2N BA2IAIKH. 


25 


had any thoughts of going from My house at 
White-hall, if I could have had but any reason¬ 
able faire quarter; I was resolved to beare much, 
and did so, but I did not think My selfe bound 
to prostitute the majesty of My place and per¬ 
son, the safety of My wife and children, to those, 
who are prone to insult most, when they have 
objects and opportunity most capable of their 
rudenesse and petulancy. 

But this businesse of the tumults (whereof 
some have given already an account to God, 
others yet living know themselves desperately 
guilty) time and the guilt of many hath so smo¬ 
thered up, and buried, that I think it best to 
leave it, as it is ; onely I believe the just Avenger 
of all disorders, will in time make those men, 
and that city, see their sinne in the glasse of 
their punishment. Tis more then an even-lay 
that they may one day see themselves punished 

by that way they offended. 

Had this Parliament, as it was in its first elec¬ 
tion and constitution, sate full and free, the 
members of both Houses being left to their free- 
dome of voting, as in all reason, honour, and re¬ 
ligion, they should have been ; I doubt not but 
things would have been so carried, as would ha\e 


26 


RIKQN BA2IAIKII. 


given no lesse content to all good men, then they 
wished or expected. 

For, I was resolved to hear reason in all things, 
and to consent to it so farre as I could compre¬ 
hend it: but as swine are to gardens and orderly 
plantations, so are tumults to Parliaments, and 
plebeian concourses to publique councels, turn¬ 
ing all into disorders and sordid confusions. 

I am prone sometimes to think, that had I 
called this Parliament to any other place in 
England (as I might opportunely enough have 
done) the sad consequences in all likelyliood, 
with Gods blessing, might have been prevented. 
A Parliament would have been welcome in any 
place; no place afforded such confluence of va¬ 
rious and vitious humours, as that where it was 
unhappily convened. But we must leave all to 
God, who orders our disorders, and magnifies his 
wisdome most, when our follies and miseries are 
most discovered. 

But thou, O Lord, art My refuge and defence, to 
thee I may safely fie, ivho rulest the raging of the 
sea, and the madnesse of the people. 

Thefouds, O Lord, the fouds are come in upon 
Me, and are ready to overwhelme Me. 




EIKQN BASIAIKH. 


27 


I look upon My sins, and the sins of My peo¬ 
ple, (which are the tumults of our soules against 
thee, O Lord) as the just cause of these popular in¬ 
undations ivhich thou permittest to overbeare all the 
banks of loyalty, modesty, lawes, justice, and reli¬ 
gion. 

But thou that gatheredst the waters into one 
place, and madest the dry land to appeare, and after 
didst asswage the floud which drowned the world, by 
the word of thy power; rebuke those beasts of the 
people, and deliver Me from the rudenesse and striv- 
ings of the multitude. 

Restore, we beseech thee, unto us, the freedomes of 
our councels and Parliaments, make us unpassion- 
ately to see the light of reason, and religion, and 
with all order, and gravity to follow it, as it be¬ 
comes men and Christians, so shall we praise thy 
name, who art the God of order and counsell. 

What man cannot, or will not represse, thy omni¬ 
potent justice can and will. 

O Lord, give them that are yet living, a timely 
sense and sorrow for their great sin, whom thou 
knowest guilty of raising or not suppressing those 
disorders: let shame here, and not suffering hereafter 
be their punishment. 

Set bounds to our passions by reason, to our er- 


•28 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


touts by truth, to our seditions by lawes duely exe¬ 
cuted, arid to our schismes by charity, that we may 
be, as thy Jerusalem, a city at unity in it selfe. 

This grant, O My God, in thy good time for 
Jesus Christ sake, Amen. 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


29 


V. UPON HIS MAJESTIES PASSING THE BILL FOR THE 

TRIENNIALL PARLIAMENTS: AND AFTER SETLING 

THIS, DURING THE PLEASURE OF THE TWO HOUSES. 

That the world might be fully confirmed in My 
purposes at first, to contribute, what injustice, 
reason, honour, and conscience, I could, to the 
happy successe of this Parliament, (which had 
in Me no other designe but the generall good of 
My kingdomes) I willingly passed the Bill for 
Trienniall Parliaments: which, as gentle and 
seasonable physick, might (if well applied) pre¬ 
vent any distempers from getting any head of 
prevailing ; especially, if the remedy proved not 
a disease beyond all remedy. 

I conceived, this Parliament would find work 
with convenient recesses for the first three 
yeares; but I did not imagine that some men 
would thereby have occasioned more work then 
they found to doe, by undoing so much as they 
found well done to their hands. Such is some 
mens activity that they wil needs make work 
rather then want it; and chuse to be doing 
amisse, rather then doe nothing. 

When that first act seemed too scanty to sa- 
tisfie some mens feares, and compasse publique 


30 


EIKQN BA2IA1KH. 


affaires ; I was perswaded to grant that Bill of 
sitting during the pleasure of the Houses, which 
amounted in some mens sense to as much as the 
perpetuating this Parliament. By this act of 
highest confidence, I hoped for ever to shut out, 
and lock the dore upon all present jealousies, and 
future mistakes: I confesse I did not thereby 
intend to shut My selfe out of dores, as some 
men have now requited Me. 

True, it was an act unparalell’d by any of My 
predecessours ; yet cannot in reason admit of 
any worse interpretation then this, of an extreame 
confidence I had, that My subjects would not 
make ill use of an act, by which I declared so 
much to trust them, as to deny My selfe in so 
high a point of My prerogative. 

For, good subjects will never think it just or 
fit that My condition should be worse by My 
bettering theirs : nor indeed would it have been 
so in the events, if some men had known as well 
with moderation to use, as with earnestnesse to 
desire advantages of doing good, or evill. 

A continuall Parliament (I thought) would but 
keep the Common-weale in tune, by preserving 
lawes in their due execution and vigour, wherein 
My interest lies more than any mans, since by 


EIKQN IU2IAIKH. 


31 


those lawes, My rights as a King, would be pre¬ 
served no lesse than My subjects; which is all 
I desired. More than the law gives Me I would 
not have, and lesse the meanest subject should 
not. 

Some (as I have heard) gave it out, that I soon 
repented Me of that setling act: and many would 
needs perswade Me, I had cause so to doe; but 
I could not easily nor suddenly suspect such in¬ 
gratitude in men of honour. That the more I 
granted them, the lesse I should have, and enjoy 
with them. I still counted My selfe undiminished 
by My largest concessions, if by them I might 
gain and confirm the love of My people. 

Of which, I doe not yet dispaire, but that God 
will still blesse Me with increase of it: when 
men shall have more leisure, and lesse prejudice; 
that so with unpassionate representations they 
may reflect upon those, (as I think) not more 
princely then friendly contributions, which I 
granted towards the perpetuating of their hap- 
pinesse, who are now onely miserable in this, 
that some mens ambition will not give them leave 
to enjoy what I intended for their good. 

Nor doe 1 doubt, but that in Gods due time, 
the loyal and cleared affections of My people will 


32 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


strive to returne such retributions of honour, and 
love to Me, or My posterity, as may fully com¬ 
pensate both the acts of My confidence and My 
sufferings for them; which (God knowes) have 
been neither few, nor small, nor short; occa¬ 
sioned chiefly by a perswasion I had, that I could 
not grant too much, or distrust too little, to men, 
that being professedly my subjects, pretended 
singular piety, and religious strictnesse. 

The injury of all injuries is, that which some 
men will needs load Me withall; as if I were a 
wilfull and resolved occasioner of My owne and 
My subjects miseries ; while (as they confidently, 
but (God knows) falsly divulge) I repining at the 
establishment of this Parliament, endeavoured 
by force and open hostility to undoe what by My 
royal assent I had done. Sure it had argued a 
very short sight of things, and extreame fatuity 
of mind in Me, so farre to bind My owne hands 
at their request, if I had shortly meant to have 
used a sword against them. God knows, though 
1 had then a sense of injuries; yet not such, as 
to think them worth vindicating by a warre : I 
was not then compelled, as since, to injure My 
selfe by their not using favours, with the same 
candour wherewith they were conferred. The 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


33 


tumults indeed threatned to abuse all acts of 
grace, and turne them into wantonnesse; but I 
thought at length their owne feares, whose black 
arts first raised up those turbulent spirits would 
force them to conjure them downe againe. 

Nor if I had justly resented any indignities 
put upon Me, or others, was I then in any capa¬ 
city to have taken just revenge in an hostile and 
warlike way upon those, whom I knew so well 
fortified in the love of the meaner sort of the 
people, that I could not have given My enemies 
greater and more desired advantages against 
Me, then by so unprincely inconstancy, to have 
assaulted them with armes, thereby to scatter 
them, whom but lately I had solemnly setled by 
an Act of Parliament. 

God knowes, I longed for nothing more then 
that My selfe, and My subjects might quietly 
enjoy the fruits of My many condescendings. 

It had been a course full of sinne, as well as 
of hazard, and dishonour for Me to goe about 
the cutting up of that by the sword, which I had 
so lately planted, so much (as I thought) to My 
subjects content, and Mine owne too, in all pro¬ 
bability : if some men had not feared where no 

D 


34 E1KQN BA2IAIKH. 

feare was, whose security consisted in scaring* 

others. 

I thank God, I know so well the sincerity and 
uprightnesse of My owne heart, in passing that 
great Bill, which exceeded the very thoughts of 
former times; that although I may seem lesse a 
polititian to men, yet I need no secret distinc¬ 
tions or evasions before God. Nor had I any 
reservations in My owne soule, when I passed 
it; nor repentings after, till I saw that My letting 
some men go up to the pinnacle of the Temple, 
was a temptation to them to cast Me down head¬ 
long : concluding, that without a miracle, mo¬ 
narchy it selfe, together with Me, could not but 
be dashed in pieces, by such a precipitious fall as 
they intended. Whom God in mercy forgive, 
and make them see at length, that as many king- 
domes as the devill shewed our Saviour, and the 
glory of them, (if they could be at once enjoyed 
by them) are not worth the gaining, by wayes of 
sinfull ingratitude and dishonour, which hazards 
a soule worth more worlds then this hath king- 
domes. 

But God hath hitherto preserved Me, and 
made Me to see, that it is no strange thing for 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


3S 


men, left to their owne passions, either to doe 
much evill themselves, or abuse the over-much 
goodnesse of others, whereof an ungratefull sur¬ 
feit is the most desperate and incurable dis¬ 
ease. 

I cannot say properly that I repent of that act, 
since I have no reflections upon it as a sinne of 
My will, though an errour of too charitable a 
judgement: onely I am sorry other mens eyes 
should be evill, because mine were good. 

To thee (O My God) doe I still appeale, whose 
all-discerning justice sees through all the disguises oj 
metis pretensions, and deceitfull darknesses of their 
hearts. 

Thou gavest Me a heart to grant much to My 
subjects; and now I need a heart fitted to suffer 
much from some of them. 

Thy will be done, though never so much to the 
crossing of ours, even when we hope to doe what 
might be most conformable to thine and theirs too; 
who pretended they aimed at nothing else. 

Let thy grace teach Me wisely to enjoy as well the 
frustralings, as the fulfillings of My best hopes, mid 
most specious desires . 

i) 2 


an 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


I see while I thought to allay others feaves, I have 
raised Mine owne; and by setling them, have un- 
setled My selfe. 

Thus have they requited Me evill for good, and 
hatred for My good will towards them. 

O Lord, be thou My pilot in this dark and 
dangerous storme, which neither admits My returne 
to the port whence I set out, nor My making any 
other, with that safety and honour which I de¬ 
signed. 

’Tis easie for thee to keep Me safe in the love 
and confidence of My people; nor is it hard for 
thee to preserve Me amidst the unjust hatred and 
jealousies of too many, which thou hast suffered so 
farre to prevaile upon Me, as to be able to pervert 
and abuse My acts of greatest indulgence to them, 
and assurance of them. 

But no favours from Me can make others more 
guilty then My selfe may be, of misusing those many 
and great ones, which thou, O Lord, hast conferred 
on Me. 

I beseech thee give Me and them such repentance, 
as thou wilt accept, and such grace as we may not 
abuse. 

Make Me so farre happy as to make a right use 



KIKQN BASIAIKH. 


37 


of others abuses, and by their failings of Me, to 
reflect, with a reforming displeasure, upon My 
offences against thee. 

So, although by My shines I am by other mens 
shines deprived of thy temporall blessings, yet I may 
be happy to enjoy the comfort of thy mercies, which 
often raise the greatest sufferers to be the most glo¬ 
rious saints. 


EIKftN BA2IAIKH. 


38 

VI. UPON HIS MAJESTIES RETIREMENT FROM WEST¬ 
MINSTER. 

With what unwillingnesse I withdrew from 
Westminster let them judge, who, unprovided of 
tackling, and victuall, are forced by sea to a 
storme; yet better doe so, then venture splitting 
or sinking on a lee shore. 

I stayed at Whitehall, till I was driven awaye 
by shame more than feare; to see the barbarous 
rudenesse of those tumults who resolved they 
would take the boldnesse to demand any thing, 
and not leave either My selfe, or the members of 
Parliament the liberty of our reason, and con¬ 
science to deny them any thing. 

Nor was this intolerable oppression My case 
alone, (though chiefly Mine) for the Lords and 
Commons might be content to be over-voted by 
the major part of their Houses, when they had 
used each their owne freedome. 

Whose agreeing votes were not by any lawe 
or reason conclusive to My judgement; nor can 
they include, or carry with them My consent, 
whom they represent not in any kind ; nor am I 
further bound to agree with the votes of both 
Houses, then I see them agree with the will of 


E1KQN BASIA1KH. 


39 

God, with My just rights, as a King, and the 
generall good of My people. I see that as many 
men they are seldome of one mind; and I may oft 
see, that the maj or part of them are not in the right. 

I had formerly declared to sober and moderate 
mindes, how desirous I was to give all just con¬ 
tent, when I agreed to so many Bills, which had 
been enough to secure and satisfie all : if some 
mens hydropick insatiablenesse had not learned 
to thirst the more by how much more they 
drank ; whom no fountain of royall bounty was 
able to overcome ; so resolved they seemed, either 
utterly to exhaust it, or barbarously to obstruct it. 

Sure it ceases to be councell; when not reason 
is used, as to men, to perswade; but force and 
terrour as to beasts, to drive and compell men to 
assent to what ever tumultuary patrones shall 
project. He deserves to be a slave without pi tty, 
or redemption, that is content to have the ra- 
tionall soveraignty of his soule, and liberty of his 
will and words so captivated. 

Nor do I think My kingdomes so considerable 
as to preserve them with the forfeiture of that 
freedome; which cannot be denied Me as a King, 
because it belongs to Me as a man, and a Chris- 
tain; owning the dictates ol none, but God, to 


40 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


be above Me, as obliging Me to consent. Better 
for Me to die enjoying this empire of My soule, 
which subjects Me onely to God, so farre as by 
reason or religion he directs Me, then live with 
the tittle of a King, if it should carry such a 
vassalage with it, as not to suffer Me to use My 
reason and conscience, in which I declare as a 
King, to like or dislike. 

So farre am I from thinking the majesty of the 
crown of England to be bound by any coronation 
oath, in a blind and brutish formality, to consent 
to what ever its subjects in Parliament shall re¬ 
quire ; as some men will needs inferre; while 
denying Me any power of a negative voice as 
King, they are not ashamed to seek to deprive 
Me of the liberty of using My reason with a 
good conscience, which themselves, and all the 
Commons of England enjoy proportionable to 
their influence on the publick; who would take 
it very ill to be urged, not to deny, what ever My 
selfe, as King, or the House of Peeres with Me 
should, not so much desire as enjoyn them to 
passe. I think My oath fully discharged in that 
point by My governing onely by such lawes, as 
My people with the House of Peeres have chosen, 
and My selfe have consented to. I shall never 


E1KQN BAEIAIKH. 


41 


think My selfe conscientiously tied to goe as oft 
against My conscience, as I should consent to 
such new proposalls, which My reason, in jus¬ 
tice, honour, and religion bids Me deny. 

Yet so tender I see some men are of their being 
subject to arbitrary government, (that is, the 
lawe of anothers will, to which themselves give 
no consent) that they care not with how much 
dishonour and absurdity they make their King 
the onely man that must be subject to the will 
of others, without having power left him, to 
use his owne reason, either in person, or by any 
representation. 

And if My dissentings at any time were (as 
some have suspected, and uncharitably avowed,) 
out of error, opinion, activenesse, weaknes, or 
wilfulnesse, and what they call obstinacy in Me 
(which not true judgement of things, but some 
vehement prejudice or passion hath fixed on My 
mind;) yet can no man think it other then the 
badge and method of slavery, by savage rude- 
nesse, and importunate obtrusions of violence, 
to have the mist of his errour and passion dis¬ 
pelled, which is a shadow of reason, and must 
serve those that are destitute of the substance. 
Sure that man cannot be blameable to God or 


12 


E1KQN BA2IA1KH. 


man, who seriously endeavours to see the best 
reason of things, and faithfully followes what he 
takes for reason : the uprightnesse of his inten¬ 
tions will excuse the possible failings of his un¬ 
derstanding ; if a pilot at sea cannot see the Pole- 
star, it can be no fault in him to steerehis course 
by such stars as do best appear to him. It 
argues rather those men to be conscious of their 
defects of reason, and convincing arguments, 
who call In the assistance of meer force to carry 
on the weaknesse of their councells, and propo¬ 
sals. I may, in the truth and uprightnesse of 
My heart, protest before God and men, that I 
never wilfully opposed, or denied any thing, that 
was in a fair way, after full and free debates 
propounded to Me, by the two Houses, further 
then I thought in good reason I might, and was 
bound to do. 

Nor did any thing ever please Me more, then 
when My judgement so concurred with theirs, 
that I might with good conscience consent to 
them: yea, in many things where not absolute 
and morall necessity of reason, but temporary 
convenience in point of honour was to be consi¬ 
dered, I chose rather to deny My selfe, then 
them; as preferring that which they thought 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


43 


necessary for My peoples good, before what I 
saw but convenient for My selfe. 

For I can be content to recede much from My 
owne interests, and personall rights, of which I 
conceive My selfe to be master; but in what 
concerns truth, justice, the rights of the church, 
and My crown, together with the generall good 
of My kingdomes; (all which I am bound to 
preserve as much as morally lies in Me ;) here I 
am, and ever shall be fixt and resolute, nor shal 
any man gain My consent to that, wherein My 
heart gives My tongue or hand the lye ; nor will 
I be brought to affirme that to men, which in My 
conscience I deny before God, I will rather 
chuse to wear a crown of thornes with My Sa¬ 
viour, then to exchange that of gold (which is 
due to Me) for one of lead, whose embased flexi- 
blenesse shall be forced to bend, and comply to 
the various, and oft contrary dictates of any fac¬ 
tions ; when instead of reason, and publique 
concernments, they obtrude nothing but what 
makes for the interest of parties, and flowes from 
the partialities of private wils and passions. 

I know no resolutions more worthy a Christain 
King, then to prefer his conscience before his 
kingdomes. 




44 


EIKUN BA2IA1KH. 


O My God, preserve thy servant in this native, 
rationall and religious freedome; for this I believe 
is thy will that we should maintaine: who, though 
thou dost justly require us, to submit our understand¬ 
ings and wils to thine ; whose wisdome and goodnesse 
can neither erre, nor misguide us, and so farre to 
deny our carnall reason, in order to thy sacred mys¬ 
teries, and commands, that we should believe and 
obey rather then dispute them; yet dost thou expect 
from us, onely such a reasonable service of thee , as 
not to doe any thing for thee, against our consci¬ 
ences ; and as to the desires of men, enjoy nest us to 
try all things by the touch-stone of reason and lawes, 
which are the rules of civill justice; and to declare 
our consents to that onely which our judgements 
approve, 

Thou knowest, O Lord, how unwilling I was to 
desert that place, in which thou hast set me, and 
whereto the affaires of My kingdomes at present did 
call Me, 

My people can witnesse how farre I have been con¬ 
tent for their good, to deny My selfe, in what thou 
hast subjected to My disposall, 

O let not the unthankfull importunities, and tu¬ 
multuary violence of some mens immoderate demands, 
ever betray Me to that degenerous and unmanly 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


45 


slavery, which should make Me strengthen them by 
My consent in those things which I think in My 
conscience to be against thy glory, the good of My 
subjects, and the discharge of My owne duty in rea¬ 
son and justice. 

Make Me willing to suffer the greatest indignities, 
and injuries they presse upon Me, rather then commit 
the least sinne against My conscience. 

Let the just liberties of My people be (as well they 
may) preserved in faire, and equall waies, without 
the slavery of My soule. 

Thou that hast invested Me by thy favours, in the 
power of a Christian King, suffer Me not to subject 
My reason to other mens passions, and designes, 
which to Me seem unreasonable, unjust, and irreli¬ 
gious : so shall I serve thee, in the truth and up- 
rightnesse of My heart, though I cannot satisfe these 
men. 

Though I be driven from among them, yet give 
Me grace to walke alwaies uprightly before thee. 

Lead Me in the way of truth and justice, for 
these, I know, will biing Me at last to peace and 
happinesse with thee; though for these I have much 
trouble among men . 

This I beg of thee for My Saviours sake. 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


4C> 


VII. UPON THE QUEENS DEPARTURE AND ABSENCE 

OUT OF ENGLAND. 

Although I have much cause to be troubled at 
My wifes departure from Me, and out of My 
dominions; yet not Her absence, so much, as the 
scandall of that necessity, which drives Her 
away, doth afflict Me. That She should be com¬ 
pelled by My owne subjects, and those pretend¬ 
ing to be Protestants, to withdraw for Her 
safety : this being the first example of any Pro¬ 
testant subjects, that have taken up arms against 
their King, a Protestant: for I look upon this 
now done in England, as another act of the same 
tragedy which was lately begun in Scotland; the 
brands of that fire being ill quenched have kin¬ 
dled the like flames here. I fear such motions 
(so little to the adorning of the Protestant pro¬ 
fession) may occasion a farther alienation of 
mind, and divorce of affections in Her, frotn that 
religion, which is the onely thing wherein we 
differ. 

Which yet God can, and I pray he would in 
time take away; and not suffer these practises 
to be any obstruction to Her judgement; since 
it is the motion of those men, (for the most part) 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


47 


who are yet to seek and setle their religion for 
doctrine, government, and good manners, and so 
not to be imputed to the true English Protes¬ 
tants ; who continue firme to their former setled 
principles and lawes. 

I am sorry My relation to so deserving a lady 
should be any occasion of Her danger and afflic¬ 
tion ; whose merits would have served Her for a 
protection among the savage Indians; while their 
rudenesse and barbarity knowes not so perfectly 
to hate all vertues, as some mens subtilty doth; 
among whom I yet think few are so malicious as 
to hate Her for Her selfe. The fault is, that She 
is My wife. 

All justice then as well as affection commands 
Me, to study Her security, who is onely in dan¬ 
ger for My sake; I am content to be tossed, 
weather-beaten, and shipwrackt, so as She may 
be in safe harbour. 

This comfort I shall enjoy by Her safety in 
the midst of My personall dangers, that I can 
perish but halfe, if She be preserved : in whose 
memory, and hopefull posterity, I may yet sur¬ 
vive the malice of My enemies, although they 
should be satiated with My bloud. 

1 must leave Her, and them, to the love and 


48 EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 

loyalty of My good subjects ; and to his protec¬ 
tion, who is able to punish the faults of princes, 
and no lesse severely to revenge the injuries done 
to them, by those who in all duty and allegiance, 
ought to have made good that safety, which the 
lawes chiefely provide for princes. 

But common civility is in vaine expected from 
those, that dispute their loyalty : nor can it be 
safe (for any relation) to a King, to tarry among 
them who are shaking hands with their allegi¬ 
ance, under pretence of laying faster hold on 
their religion. 

Tis pitty so noble and peacefull asoule should 
see, much more suffer, the rudenesse of those 
who must make up their want of justice, with 
inhumanity, and impudence. 

Her sympathy with Me in My afflictions, will 
make her vertues shine with greater lustre, as 
stars in the darkest nights : and assure the en¬ 
vious world, that She loves Me, not My for¬ 
tunes. 

Neither of us but can easily forgive, since We 
do not much blame the unkindnesse of the gene¬ 
rality, and vulgar ; for We see God is pleased to 
try both our patience, by the most selfe-punish- 
ing sinne, the ingratitude of those, who having 


KIKQN BA2IA1KH. 


49 


eaten of Our bread, and being enriched with Our 
bounty, have scornfully lift up themselves against 
Us ; and those of Our owne household are be¬ 
come Our enemies. I pray God lay not their 
sinne to their charge : who thinke to satisfie all 
obligations to duty, by their corban of religion : 
and can lesse endure to see, then to sin against 
their benefactours as well as their soveraignes. 

But even that policy of My enemies is so farre 
veniall, as it was necessary to their designes, by 
scandalous articles, and all irreverent demea¬ 
nour, to seeke to drive Her out of My kingdomes; 
lest by the influence of Her example, eminent 
for love as a wife, and loyalty, as a subject. She 
should have converted to, or retained in their 
love, and loyalty, all those whom they had a 
purpose to pervert. 

The lesse I may be blest with Her company, 
the more I will retire to God, and My owne 
heart, whence no malice can banish Her. My 
enemies may envy, but they can never deprive 
Me of the enjoyment of Her vertues, while I 
enjoy My selfe. 

Thou, O Lord, whose justice at present sees Jit to 
scatter us, let thy mercy, in thy due time , reunite us 


E 





KIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


on earth y if it he thy will; however bring Us both at 
last, to thy heavenly kingdome. 

Preserve Us from the hands of Our despitefull 
and deadly enemies: and prepare Us by Our suffer¬ 
ings for thy presence. 

Tho We differ in some things, as to religion 
(which is My greatest temporall infelicity) yet Lord 
give, and accept the sincerity of Our affections, 
which desire to seek, to find, to embrace every truth 
of thine. 

Let both Our hearts agree in the love of thy selfe, 
and Christ crucified for Us. 

Teach Us both what thou wouldst have Us to 
know, in order to thy glory, Out publique relations, 
and Our soules eternall good, and make Us carefull 
to doe what good We know. 

Let neither ignorance of what is necessary to be 
knowne, nor unbelief, or disobedience to what We 
know, be Our misery or our wilfull default. 

Let not this great scandall of those My subjects, 
which prof esse the same religion with Me, be any 

hindrance to Her love of any truth thou wouldst 

\ 

have Her to learne, nor any hardning of Her, in 
any errour thou ivouldst have cleared to Her. 

Let Mine, and other mens constancy be an anti¬ 
dote against the poyson of their example. 


EIKQN BA SI AIK II. 


51 


Let the truth of that religion I prof esse, be repre¬ 
sented to Her judgment, with all the beauties of hu¬ 
mility, loyalty, charity, and peaceablenesse; which 
are the proper fruits, and ornaments of it; not in the 
odious disguises of levity, schisme, heresie, novelty, 
cruelty, and disloyalty, which some mens practices 
have lately put upon it. 

Let Her see thy sacred and saving truths, as 
thine; that She may believe, love arid obey them as 
thine, cleared from all rust and drosse of humane 
mixtures. 

That in the glasse of thy truth She may see thee, 
in those mercies which thou hast offered to Us, in 
thy Sonne Jesus Christ, our onely Saviour, and serve 
thee in all those holy duties, which most -agree with 
his holy doctrine, and most imitable example . 

The experience We have of the vanity, and uncer¬ 
tainty of all humane glory, and greatnesse in Our 
scatterings and eclypses, let it make Us both so much 
the more ambitious to be invested in those durable 
honours, and perfections, which are onely to be found 
in thy selfe, and obtained through Jesus Christ. 


V2 


ETKQN BA2IAIKH. 


VIII. UPON HIS MAJESTIES REPULSE AT HULL, AND 
THE FATES OF THE HOTHAMS. 

My repulse at Hull seemed at the first view an 
act of so rude disloyalty, that My greatest ene¬ 
mies had scarce confidence enough to abett, or 
own it: it was the first overt essay to be made, 
how patiently I could beare the losse of My 
kingdomes. 

God knowes, it affected Me more with shame 
and sorrow for others, then with anger for My 
selfe ; nor did the affront done to Me trouble 
Me so much as their sinne, which admitted no 
colour or excuse. 

I was resolved how to beare this, and much 
more with patience: but I foresaw they could 
hardly containe themselves within the compasse 
of this one unworthy act, who had effrontery 
enough to commit, or countenance it. This was 
but the hand of that cloud, which was soone 
after to overspread the whole kingdome, and cast 
all into disorder and darknesse. 

For tis among the wicked maximes of bold 
anddisloyall undertakers : that bad actions must 
alwayes be seconded with worse, and rather not 
be begun then not carried on, for they think the 


EIKA2N BA2IAIKH. 


53 


retreat more dangerous then the assault, and 
hate repentance more then perseverance in a 
fault. 

This gave Me to see clearly through all the 
pious disguises, and soft palliations of some 
men; whose words were sometime smoother 
then oyle, but now I saw they would prove very 
swords. 

Against which I having (as yet) no defence, 
but that of a good conscience, thought it My 
best policy (with patience) to beare what I could 
not remedy : and in this (I thank God) I had the 
better of Hotharn , that no disdain, or emotion of 
passion transported Me, by the indignity of his 
carriage, to doe or say any thing, unbeseeming 
My selfe, or unsutable to that temper, which, in 
greatest injuries, I think, best becomes a Chris¬ 
tian, as comming nearest to the great example 
of Christ. 

And indeed, I desire alwaies more to remem¬ 
ber I am a Christian, then a King ; for what the 
majesty of one might justly abhor, the charity 
of the other is willing to beare ; what the height 
of a King tempteth to revenge, the humility of 
a Christian teacheth to forgive. Keeping in 
compasse all those impotent passions, whose ex- 


54 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


cesse injures a man, more then his greatest ene¬ 
mies can; for these give their malice a full im¬ 
pression on our soules, which otherwaies cannot 
reach very far, nor doe us much hurt. 

I cannot but observe how God not long after 
so pleaded, and avenged My cause, in the eye of 
the world, that the most wilfully blind cannot 
avoid the displeasure to see it, and with some re¬ 
morse and feare to own it as a notable stroke, 
and prediction of divine vengeance. 

For, Sir John Hotham unreproached, unthreat- 
ened, uncursed by any language or secret impre¬ 
cation of Mine, onely blasted with the conscience 
of his owne wickednesse, and falling from one 
inconstancy to another, not long after paies his 
owne and his eldest sons heads, as forfeitures of 
their disloyalty, to those men, from whom surely 
he might have expected another reward then thus 
to divide their heads from their bodies, whose 
hearts with them were divided for their King. 

Nor is it strange that they who imployed them 
at first in so high a service, and so successful to 
them, should not find mercy enough to forgive 
him, who had so much premerited of them : for, 
apostasie unto loyalty some men account the 
most unpardonable sinne. 


E1KQN BA21AIKH. 


55 


Nor did a solitary vengeance serve the turn, 
the cutting oft’ one head in a family is not enough 
to expiate the affront done to the head of the 
Commonweale. The eldest son must be involved 
in the punishment, as he was infected with the 
sinne of the father, against the father of his 
country : root and branch God cuts off in one 
day. 

These observations are obvious to every fancy : 
God knows, I was so far from rejoycing in the 
Hotham’s ruine, (though it were such as was able 
to give the greatest thirst for revenge a full 
draught, being executed by them who first em¬ 
ployed him against Me) that I so farre pitied 
him; as I thought he at first acted more against 
the light of his conscience, then I hope other 
men doe in the same cause. 

For, he was never thought to be of that super¬ 
stitious sowrenesse, which some men pretend to, 
in matters of religion; which so darkens their 
judgement that they cannot see any thing of 
sinne and rebellion in those meanes they use, 
with intents to reforme to their models what they 
call religion, who think all is gold of piety, which 
doth but glister with a shew of zeale and fer¬ 
vency. 


56 


FJKQN BA21AIKH. 


Sir John Hotham was (l think) a man of ano¬ 
ther temper, and so most liable to those down¬ 
right temptations of ambition, which have no 
cloake or cheat of religion to impose upon them¬ 
selves or others. 

That which makes Me more pity him is, that 
after he began to have some inclinations towards 
a repentance for his sinne, and reparation of his 
duty to Me, he should be so unhappy as to fall 
into the hands of their justice, and not My 
mercy, who could as willingly have forgiven him, 
as he could have asked that favour of Me. 

For I think clemency a debt, which we ought 
to pay to those that crave it, when we have cause 
to believe they would not after abuse it, since 
God himself suffers us not to pay any thing for 
his mercy but onely prayers and praises. 

Poor gentleman, he is now become a noteable 
monument of unprosperous disloyalty, teaching 
the world by so sad and unfortunate a spectacle, 
that the rude carriage of a subject towards his 
soveraigne carries alwaies its owne vengeance, as 
an unseparable shadow with it, and those oft 
prove the most fatall, and implacable execu¬ 
tioners of it, who were the first imployers in the 
service. 


EIKA2N BA2IAIKH. 


57 


After-times will dispute it, whether Hothavn 
were more infamous at Hull, or at Tower-hill; 
tho ’tis certain that no punishment so staines a 
mans honour, as wilful preparations of unworthy 
actions; which besides the conscience of the 
sinne, brands with most indelible characters 
of infamy, the name and memory to posterity, 
who not engaged in the factions of the times, 
have the most impartiall reflections on the ac¬ 
tions. 

But thou , O Lord, who hast in so remarkable a 
way avenged thy servant, suffer Me not to take any 
secret pleasure in it, as his death hath satisfied the 
injury he did to Me, so let Me not by it gratifie any 
passion in Me, lest I make thy vengeance to be Mine, 
and consider the affront against Me, more then the 
sinne against thee. 

Thou indeed, without any desire or endeavor of 
Mine, hast made his mischief to returne on his owne 
head, and his violent dealing to come downe on his 
owne pate. 

Thou hast pleaded My cause, even before the sons 
of men, and taken the matter into thine owne hands; 
that men may know it ivas thy work, and see that 
thou, Lord, hast done it. 


58 


E1KQN 15A21AIKH. 


1 do not, I dare not say, so let Mine enemies 
perish O Lord! yea Lord, rather give them re¬ 
pentance, pardon, and impunity, if it be thy blessed 
will. 

Let not thy justice prevent the objects and op¬ 
portunities of My mercy; yea, let them live and 
amend who have most offended me in so high a na¬ 
ture; that I may have those to forgive, who beare 
most proportion in their offences to those trespasses 
against thy majesty, which I hope thy mercy hath 
forgiven Me. 

Lord lay not their shines (who yet live) to their 
charge J'or condemnation, but to their consciences 
for amendment: let the lightning of this thunder¬ 
bolt, which hath been so severe a punishment to one, 
be a terrour to all. 

Discover to them their shine, ivho know not they 
have done amisse, and scare them from their shine, 
that shine of malicious wickednesse. 

That preventing thy judgements by their true re¬ 
pentance, they may escape the strokes of thine eter¬ 
nall vengeance. 

And doe thou, O Lord, establish the throne of thy 
servant in mercy and truth meeting together; let 
My crowne ever flourish in righteousnesse and peace, 
kissing each other. 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


00 

Heare My prayer, O Lord, who hast taught us 
to pray for, to doe good to, and to love our enemies, 
for thy sake; who hast prevented us with offertures 
of thy love, even when we were thine enemies, and 
hast sent thy Sonne Jesus Christ to die for us, when 
we were disposed to crucifie him. 


60 


EIKflN BA2IA1KH. 


IX. UPON THE LISTING, AND RAISING ARMIES 
AGAINST THE KING. 

I find that I am at the same point and posture 
I was, when they forced Me to leave Whitehall: 
what tumults could not doe, an army must; 
which is but tumults listed and enrolled to a 
better order, but as bad an end: My recesse 
hath given them confidence that I may be con¬ 
quered. . 

And so I easily may as to any outward strength, 
which, God knows, is little or none at all: but 
I have a soule invincible through Gods grace 
enabling Me; here I am sure to be conqueror, 
if God will give Me such a measure of con¬ 
stancy, as to feare him more then man: and to 
love the inward peace of My conscience, before 
any outward tranquillity. 

And must I be opposed with force, because 
they have not reason wherewith to convince Me? 
O My soule! be of good courage, they confesse 
their knowne weaknesse, as to truth, and justice, 
who chose rather to contend by armies, then by 
arguments. 

Is this the reward and thanks that I am to re¬ 
ceive for those many acts of grace I have lately 


EIKttN BAST AIK H. 


t>l 


passed, and for those many indignities I have 
endured ? Is there no way left to make Me a 
glorious King, but by My sufferings? 

It is a hard and disputable choice for a King 
that loves his people, and desires their love, 
either to kill his owne subjects, or to be killed 
by them. 

Are the hazzards and miseries of civil warre in 
the bowels of My most flourishing kingdome, 
the fruits I must now reap after 17 years living 
and reigning among them, with such a measure 
of justice, peace, plenty, and religion, as all 
nations about either admired, or envied ? Not¬ 
withstanding some miscarriages in government, 
which might escape ; rather through ill counsell 
of some men driving on their private ends, or 
the peevishnesse of others envying the publique 
should be managed without them, or the hidden 
and insuperable necessities of state, then any 
propensity, I hope of My selfe either to inju- 
riousnesse or oppression. 

Whose innocent bloud during My reigne have 
I shed, to satisfie My lust, anger, or covetous- 
nesse? What widdows or orphans teares can 
witnesse against Me ; the just cry of which must 
now be avenged with My owne bloud? For the 


EIKQN BA2IA1KH. 


b‘2 

hazards of warre are equall, nor doth the cannon 
know any respect of persons. 

In vain is My person excepted by a parenthesis 
of words, when so many hands are armed against 
Me with swords. 

God knowes how much I have studied to see 
what ground of justice is alledged for this warre 
against Me; that so I might (by giving just sa¬ 
tisfaction) either prevent, or soone end so un- 
naturall a motion, which (to many men) seemes 
rather the productions of a surfeit of peace, and 
wantonnesse of mindes, or of private discon¬ 
tents, ambition and faction (which easily find, 
or make causes of quarrell) then any reall ob¬ 
structions of publique justice, or parliamentary 
priviledge. 

But this is pretended, and this I must be able 
to avoid and answer before God in My owne 
conscience, however some men are not willing 
to beleeve Me, lest they should condemne them? 
selves. 

When I first withdrew from Whitehall , to see 
if I could allay the insolency of the tumults, 
(the not suppressing of which, no account in 
reason can be given, where an orderly guard 
was granted but onely to oppresse both Mine 


EIKQN BA2IA1KH. 


6:3 

and the two Houses freedome of declaring; and 

o 

voting according to every mans conscience) what 
obstructions of justice were there further then 
this, that what seemed just to one man, might 
not seeme so to another ? 

Whom did I by power protect against the jus¬ 
tice of Parliament ? 

That some men withdrew, who feared the par¬ 
tiality of their try all, (warned by My Lord of 
Strafford's death) while the vulgar threatned to 
be their oppressors, and judgers of their judges, 
was from that instinct, which is in all creatures 
to preserve themselves. If any others refused 
to appear, where they evidently saw the current 
of justice and freedom so stopped and troubled 
by the rabble, that their lawfull judges either 
durst not come to the houses, or not declare 
their sense with liberty and safety; it cannot 
seem strange to any reasonable man when the 
sole exposing them to publique odium was enough 
to ruine them, before their cause could be heard 
or tryed. 

Had not factious tumults overborne the free¬ 
dome and honour of the two Houses ; had they 
asserted their justice against them, and made 
the way open for all the members quietly to come 




61 


EIKQN BASIAIKH. 


and declare their consciences : I know no man 
so deare to Me, whom I had the least inclination 
to advise either to withdraw himselfe, or deny 
appearing upon their summons, to whose sen¬ 
tence according to law (I think) every subject 
bound to stand. 

Distempers (indeed) were risen to so great a 
height, for want of timely repressing the vulgar 
insolencies; that the greatest guilt of those 
which were voted and demanded as delinquents 
was this, that they would not suffer themselves 
to be overaw’d with the tumults, and their pa- 
trones ; not compelled to abet by their suffrages 
or presence, the designes of those men who agi¬ 
tated innovations, and ruin both in Church and 
State. 

In this point I could not but approve their 
generous constancy and cautiousnesse; further 
then this I did never allow any mans refractori- 
nesse against the priviledges and orders of the 
Houses; to whom I wished nothing more, then 
safety, fulnesse, and freedome. 

But the truth is, some men, and those not 
many, despairing in faire and parliamentary 
wayes by free deliberations, and votes to gain 
the concurrence of the major part of Lords and 


KIK12N iiASfAIlvH." 


66 

Commons, betook themselves by the desperate 
activity of factious tumults to sift and terrifie 
away all those members whom they saw to be of 
contrary minds to their purposes. 

How olt was the businesse of the bishops en¬ 
joying their ancient places, and undoubted pri- 
viledges in the House of Peeres, carried for them 
by farre the major part of Lords. Yet after five 
repulses, contrary to all order and custome, it 
was by tumultuary instigations obtruded again, 
and by a few carried, when most of the Peeres 
were forced to absent themselves. 

In like manner, was the Bill against Root and 
Branch, brought on by tumultuary clamours, and 
schismaticall terrours, which never passed, till 
both Houses were sufficiently thinned and over¬ 
awed. 

To which partiality, while in all reason, jus¬ 
tice and religion. My conscience forbids Me by 
consenting to make up their votes to acts of Par¬ 
liament ; I must now be urged with an army, and 
constrained either to hazzard My owne, and My 
kingdomes ruine, by My defence ; or prostrate 
My conscience to the blinde obedience of those 
men, whose zealous superstition thinkes or pre¬ 
tends, they cannot do God and the Church a 


F 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


Gti 

greater service, then utterly to destroy that pri¬ 
mitive, apostolicall, and anciently universall go¬ 
vernment of the Church by bishops. 

Which if other mens judgements bind them to 
maintain, or forbids them to consent to the abo¬ 
lishing of it; Mine much more; who, besides 
the grounds I have in My judgement, have also 
a most strict and indispensable oath upon My 
conscience, to preserve that order, and the right 
of the Church ; to which, most sacrilegious and 
abhorred perjury, most un-beseeming a Christian 
King, should I ever by giving My consent be 
betrayed, I should account it infinitely greater 
misery, then any hath, or can befall Me ; in as 
much as the least sinne hath more evill in it then 
the greatest affliction. Had I gratified their 
anti-episcopall faction at first in this point, with 
My consent, and sacrificed the ecclesiasticall 
government, and revenues, to the fury of their 
covetousnesse, ambition, and revenge, I believe 
they would then have found no colourable ne¬ 
cessity of raising an army to fetch in and punish 
delinquents. 

That I consented to the Bill of putting the 
bishops out of the House of Peeres, was done 
with a firm perswasion of their contentednesse 


ElKHN BA2IAIKH. 


G? 


to suffer a present diminution in their rights and 
honour, for My sake, and the Common-weale, 
which I was confident they would readily yield 
unto, rather then occasion (by the least obstruc¬ 
tion on their part) any dangers to Me, or to My 
kingdome. That I cannot adde My consent to the 
totall extirpation of that government (which I have 
often offered to all fit regulations) hath so much 
further tie upon My conscience, as what I thinke 
religious and apostolicall; and so very sacred 
and divine, is not to be dispensed with, or de¬ 
stroyed, when what is onely of civill favor, and 
priviledge of honour granted to men of that 
order, may with their consent, who are concerned 
in it be annulled. 

This is the true state of those obstructions 
pretended to be in point of justice and authority 
of Parliament; when I call God to witnesse, I 
knew none of such consequence as was worth 
speaking of a warre, being onely such as justice, 
reason, and religion had made in My owne and 
other mens consciences. 

Afterwards indeed a great shew of delinquents 
was made; which were but consequences neces¬ 
sarily following upon Mine, or others withdraw¬ 
ing from, or defence against violence: but those 

f 2 


68 EIKQN BASIAIKH. 

could not be the first occasion of raising an 
army against Me. Wherein I was so farre from 
preventing them, (as they have declared otten, 
that they might seeme to have the advantage and 
justice of the defensive part, and load Me with 
all the envy and injuries of first assaulting them) 
that God knows, I had not so much as any hopes 
of an army in My thoughts. Had the tumults been 
honourably and effectually repressed by exem¬ 
plary justice, and the liberty of the Houses so 
vindicated, that all members of either House 
might with honour and freedome, becomming 
such a senate, have come and discharged their 
consciences, I had obtained all that I designed 
by My withdrawing, and had much more wil¬ 
lingly, and speedily returned then I retired; 
this being My necessity driving, the other My 
choyce desiring. 

But some men knew, I was like to bring the 
same judgement and constancy, which I carry 
with Me, which would never fit their designes : 
and so while they invited Me to come, and 
grievously complained of My absence, yet they 
could not but be pleased with it: especially 
when they had found out that plausible and po¬ 
pular pretext of raising an army to fetch in 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


69 


delinquents : when all that while they never pu¬ 
nished the greatest and most intolerable delin¬ 
quency of the tumults, and their exciters, which 
drave My selfe, and so many of both Houses 
from their places, by most barbarous indignities, 
which yet in all reason and honour, they were as 
loath to have deserted, as those others were 
willing they should, that so they might have 
occasion to persecute them with the injuries of 
an army, for not suffering more tamely the in¬ 
juries of the tumults. 

That this is the true state, and first drift and 
designe in raising an army against Me, is by 
the sequell so evident, that all other pretences 
vanish. For when they declared by proposi¬ 
tions, or treaties, what they would have to ap¬ 
pease them ; there was nothing of consequence 
offered to Me, or demanded of Me, as any ori- 
ginall difference in any point of law, or order of 
justice. But among other lesser innovations, 
this chiefly was urged, the abolition of episco- 
pall, and the establishment of Presbyterian go¬ 
vernment. 

All other things at any time propounded were 
either impertinent as to any ground of a warre. 




70 


EIKC2N BA2IA1KH. 


or easily granted by Me, and onely to make up 
a number, or else they were meerly consequen¬ 
tial!, and accessary, after the warre was by them 
unjustly began. 

I can not hinder other mens thoughts, whom 
the noise and shew of piety, and heat for reforma¬ 
tion and religion, might easily so fill with pre¬ 
judice, that all equality and clearnesse of judge¬ 
ment might be obstructed. But this was, and is, 
as to My best observation, the true state of 
affaires betweene us, when they first raised an 
army, with this designe, either to stop My 
mouth, or to force My consent: and in this 
truth, as to My conscience, (who was (God 
knowes) as far from meditating a warre, as I was 
in the eye of the world from having any prepara¬ 
tions for one) I find that comfort, that in the 
midst of all the unfortunate successes of this 
warre, on My side, I doe not think My innocencie 
any whit prejudiced or darkned; nor am I with¬ 
out that integrity, and peace before God, as with 
humble confidence to addresse My prayer to him. 

For thou, O Lord, seest clearly through all the 
cloudings of humane affaires ; thou judgest without 


E1KA2N BA21AIKH. 


71 


prejudice: thy Omniscience eternally guides thy lin¬ 
en able judgement. 

O My God, the proud are risen against Me, and 
the assemblies of violent men have sought after My 
soule, and have not set thee before their eyes. 

Consider My enemies, O Lord, for they are 
many, and they hate Me with a deadly hatred with¬ 
out a cause. 

For thou knowest, 1 had no passion, designe or 
preparation to embroyle My kingdomes in a civill 
wan e ; whereto I had least temptation ; as knowing 
I must adventure more then any, and could gaine 
least of any by it. 

Thou , O Lord, art My witnesse how oft / have 
deplored, and studied to divert the necessity thereof, 
wherein I cannot well be thought so prodigally 
thirsty of My subjects blond, as to venture My owne 
life, which 1 have been oft compelled to doe in this 
untiappy warre; and which were better spent to save 

then to destroy My people. 

O Lord, I need much of thy grace, with patience 
to beare the many afflictions thou hast suffered some 
men to bring upon Me; but much more to beare the 
unjust reproaches oj those, who not content that I 
safer most by warre, will needs perswade the world 
that 1 have raised first, or given just cause to raise it. 


72 


EIKQN BASIA1KH. 


The confidence of some mens false tongues is such, 
that they would make Me almost suspect My owne 
innocency : yea, I could be content (at least by My 
silence) to take upon Me so great a guilt before 
men, if by that I might allay the malice of My ene¬ 
mies, and redeeme My people from this miserable 
ivarre; since thou, O Lord, knoicest My innocency 
in this thing. 

Thou wilt finde out bloudy and deceitfull men; 
many of whom have not lived out half their daies, in 
which they promised themselves the enjoyment of the 
fruits of their violence and wicked counsels. 

Save, 0 Lord, thy servant, as hitherto thou hast, 
and in thy due time scatter the people that delight in 
warre. 

Arise, O Lord, lift tip thy selfe, because of the 
rage of Mine enemies, which increaseth more and 
more. Behold them that have conceived mischiefe, 
travelled with iniquity, and brought forth falshood. 

Thou knowest the chief designe of this warre is, 
either to destroy My person, or force My judgement, 
and to make Me renege My conscience and thy truth. 

I am driven to crosse Davids choyce and desire, 
rather to fall into the hands of men, by denying 
them, (though their mercies be cruell) then into thy 
hands by sinning against My conscience, and in that 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


73 


against thee, who art a consuming fire; better they 
destroy Me, then thou shouldst damne Me. 

Be thou ever the defence of My soule, who wilt 
save the upright in heart. 

If nothing but My bloud will satisfie My enemies, 
or quench the flames of My kingdomes, or thy tern - 
porall justice, I am content, if it be thy will, that it 
be shed by Mine oivne subjects hands. 

But O let the bloud of Me, tho their King, yet 
a sinner, be washed with the bloud of My innocent 
and peace-maker Redeemer, for in that thy justice will 
find not onely a temporary expiation, but an eternall 
plenary satisfaction; both for My shines, and the 
shines of My people; whom I beseech thee still own 
for thine, and when thy wrath is appeased by My 
death, O remember thy great mercies toward them, 
and forgive them, O My father, for they know not 
what they do. 


71 


E1KQN BASIAIKH, 


X. UPON THEIR SEIZING THE KINGS MAGAZINES; 

FORTS, NAVY, AND MILITIA. 

How untruly I am charged with the first raising 
of an army, and beginning this civill warre, the 
eyes that onely pitty Me, and the loyall hearts 
that durst onely pray for Me, at first, might wit- 
nesse, which yet appear not so many on My side, 
as there were men in arms listed against Me ; 
My unpreparednesse for a warre may well dis¬ 
hearten those that would help Me; while it 
argues (truly) My unwillingnesse to fight; yet 
it testifies for Me, that I am set on the defensive 
part; having so little hopes or power to offend 
others, that I have none to defend My selfe, or 
to preserve what is Mine owne from their pro- 
ception. 

No man can doubt but they prevented Me in 
their purposes, as well as their injuries, who are 
so much before-hand in their preparations against 
Me, and surprisalls of My strength. Such as 
are not for them, yet dare not be for Me; so 
over-aw’d is their loyalty by the others numbers 
and terrours. I believe My innocency, and un¬ 
preparednesse to assert My rights and honour, 
makes Me the more guilty in their esteeme ; who 


EIKQN BA2IA1KH. 


75 


would not so easily have declared a warre against 
Me, if I had first assaulted them. 

They knew My chiefest armes left Me, were 
those onely, which the ancient Christians were 
wont to use against their persecutors, prayers 
and teares. These may serve a good mans turne, 
if not to conquer as a souldier, yet to suffer as a 
martyr. 

Their preventing of Me, and surprizing My 
castles, forts, armes, and navy, with the militia, 
is so farre best for Me, that it may drive Me 
from putting any trust in the arme of flesh, and 
wholly to cast My selfe into the protection of 
the living God, who can save by few, or none, 
as well as by many. 

He that made the greedy ravens to be Elias 
caterers, and bring him food, may also make 
their surprisall of outward force and defence, an 
opportunity to shew Me the special support of 
his power and protection. 

I thank God I reckon not now the want of the 
militia so much in reference to My owne protec¬ 
tion as My peoples. 

Their many and sore oppressions grieve Me, 
1 am above My owne, what I want in the hands 


7(3 EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 

of force and power, I have in the winges of faith 
and prayer. 

But this is the strange method these men will 
needs take to resolve their riddle of making Me 
a glorious King, by taking away My kingly 
power : thus I shall become a support to My 
friends, and a terrour to My enemies, being una¬ 
ble to succour the one, or suppresse the other. 

For thus have they designed, and proposed to 
Me, the new modelling of soveraignty and king- 
ship, so without any reality of power, or without 
any necessity of subjection and obedience : that 
the majesty of the Kings of England might here¬ 
after hang, like Mahomets tomb, by a magnetique 
charm, between the power and priviledges of the 
two Houses, in an aiery imagination of regality. 

But I believe they surfeit of too much power, 
which some men have greedily seized on, and 
now seek wholly to devour, will ere long make the 
Common-wealth sick both of it and them, since 
they cannot well digest it; soveraigne power in 
subjects seldome agreeing with the stomacks of 
fellow subjects. 

Yet I have even in this point of the constant 
militia sought, by satisfying their feares, and 


EIKQN B A St AIK H. 


im, im 

t / 

importunities, both to secure My friends, and 
overcome Mine enemies, to gaine the peace of 
all, bv depriving My selfe of a sole power to 
helpe, or hurt any : yielding the militia (which 
is My undoubted right no lesse than the crowne; 
to be disposed of as the two Houses shall think 
fit, during My time. 

So willing am I to bury all jealousies in them, 
of Me, and to live above all jealousies of them, 
as to My selfe ; I desire not to be safer than I 
wish them and My people; if I had the sole ac- 
tuall disposing of the militia , I could not protect 
My people, further then they protected Me, and 
themselves : so that the use of the militia is mu¬ 
tual!. I would but defend My selfe so farre, as 
to be able to defend My good subjects from 
those mens violence and fraud, who conscious to 
their owne evill merits and designes, will needs 
perswade the world, that none but wolves are fit 
to be trusted with the custody of the shepherd 
and his flock. Miserable experience hath taught 
My subjects, since power hath been wrested 
from Me, and imployed against Me and them! 
that neither can be safe if both be not in such a 
way as the lawe hath intrusted the publique 
safety and welfare. 


78 


EIKGN BA2IAIKH. 


Yet even this concession of Mine as to the 
exercise of the militia, so vast and large, is not 
satisfactory to some men ; which seem to be 
enemies not to Me onely, but to all monarchy; 
and are resolved to transmit to posterity such 
jealousies of the crowne, as they should never 
permit it to enjoy its just and necessary rights, 
in point of power ; to which (at last) all law is 
resolved, while thereby it is best protected. 

But here honour and justice due to My suc¬ 
cessors, forbid Me to yield to such a totall aliena¬ 
tion of that power from them, which civility and 
duty (no lesse then justice and honour) should 
have forbad them to have asked of Me. 

For, although I can be content to eclypse My 
owne beames, to satisfie their feares; who think 
they must needs be scorched or blinded, if I 
should shine in the full lustre of kingly power, 
wherewith God and the lawes have invested Me: 
yet I will never consent to put out the sunne of 
soveraignty to all posterity, and succeeding 
kings ; whose just recovery of their rights from 
unjust usurpations and extortions, shall never be 
prejudiced or obstructed by any act of Mine, 
which indeed would not be more injurious to 
succeeding kings, then to My subjects ; whom 


EIK12N BA2IAIKH. 


79 

l desire to leave in a condition not wholly des¬ 
perate for the future; so as by a law to be ever 
subjected to those many factious distractions, 
which must needs follow the many-headed Hydra 
of government: which as it makes a shew to the 
people to have more eyes to foresee; so they will 
finde it hath more mouthes, too, which must be 
satisfied: and (at best) it hath rather a monstro¬ 
sity, then any thing of perfection, beyond that 
of right monarchy; where counsell may be in 
many as the senses, but the Supreme Power can 
be but in one as the head. 

Happily when men have tried the horrours and 
malignant influence which will certainly follow 
My enforced darkenesse and eclypse, (occa¬ 
sioned by the interposition and shadow of that 
body, which as the moon receiveth its chiefest 
light from Me) they will at length more esteem 
and welcome the restored glory and blessing of 
the sunnes light. 

And if at present I may seem by My receding 
so much from the use of My right in the power 
of the militia to come short of the discharge of 
that trust to which I am sworne for My peoples 
protection ; I conceive those men are guilty of 
the enforced perjury, (if so it may seeme) who 


EIKQN BA2IAIKII. 


SO 

compell Me to take this new and strange way of 
discharging My trust, by seeming to desert it; 
or protecting My subjects by exposing My selfe 
to danger or dishonour, for their safety and 
quiet. 

Which in the conflicts of civill warre and ad¬ 
vantages of power cannot be effected but by 
some side yielding; to which the greatest love 
of the publique peace, and the firmest assurance 
of Gods protection (arising from a good con¬ 
science) doth more invite Me, then can be ex¬ 
pected from other mens fears; which arising 
from the injustice of their actions (though never 
so successfull) yet dare not adventure their au¬ 
thors upon any other way of safety, then that of 
the sword and militia; which yet are but weake 
defences against the stroaks of divine vengeance, 
which will overtake ; or of mens owne consci¬ 
ences, which alwaies attend injurious perpetra¬ 
tions. 

For My selfe, I doe not think that I can want 
any thing which providential necessity is pleased 
to take from Me, in order to My peoples tran¬ 
quility, and Gods glory, whose protection is suffi¬ 
cient for Me ; and he is able by his being with 
Me, abundantly to compensate to Me, as he did 


E1KS2N BA2IA1KH. 


81 


to Job, what ever honour, power, or liberty the 
Chaldeans, the Sabeans, or the devil himselfe can 
deprive Me of. 

Although they take from Me all defence of 
armes and militia , all refuge by land, of forts, 
and castles, all flight by sea in My ships, and 
navy; yea, tho they study to rob Me of the 
hearts of My subjects, the greatest treasure and 
best ammunition of a King, yet cannot they 
deprive Me of My owne innocency, or Gods 
mercy, nor obstruct My way to heaven. 

Therefore , O My God, to thee Ifliefor help, if 
thou wilt be on My side, I shall have more with Me 
then can be against Me. 

There is none in Heaven, or in Earth, that I 
desire in comparison of thee: in the losse of all, be 
thou more then all to Me: make haste to succour 
Me, thou that neverfailest them, that put their trust 
in thee. 

Thou seest I have no power to oppose them that 
come against Me, who are encouraged to fight under 
the pretence of fighting for Me: but My eyes are 
toward thee. 

Thou needest no help, nor shall I, if I may have 
thine; if not to conquer, yet at least to suffer. 

G 






82 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


If thou delightest not in My safety, and pros¬ 
perity, behold here I am willing to be reduced to 
what thou wilt have Me; whose judgements oft begin 
with thy owne children. 

I am content to be nothing, that thou mayest be all. 

Thou hast taught Me, that no king can be saved 
by the multitude of an host; but yet thou canst save 
Me by the multitude of thy mercies , who art the 
Lord of Hosts, and the Father of mercies. 

Helpe Me, O Lord, who am sore distressed on 
every side, yet be thou on My side, and 1 shall not 
feare what man can doe unto Me. 

I will give thy justice the glory of My distresse. 

O let thy mercy have the glory of My deliverance 
from them that persecute My soule ! 

By My sinnes have I fought against thee, and 
robbed thee of thy glory, who am thy subject, and 
justly mayest thou, by My owne subjects, strip Me 
of My strength, and eclypse My glory. 

But shew thy selfe, O My hope, and onely refuge ! 
Let not Mine enemies say, there is no help for him 
in his God. 

Hold up My goings in thy paths, that My foot¬ 
steps slip not. 

Keep Me as the apple of thine eye, hide Me under 
the shadow of thy wings. 





EIKQN BA2IA1KH. 


83 


Shew thy marvellous loving kindnesse, O thou 
that savcst by thy right hand them that put their 
trust in thee, from those that rise up against them; 

From the wicked that oppresse Me, from My 
deadly enemies that compasse Me about, 

Shciv Me the path of life . In thy presence is 
fulnesse of joy, at thy right hand there are pleasures 
for evermore. 







84 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


XI. UPON THE NINETEEN PROPOSITIONS FIRST SENT 
TO THE KING j AND MORE AFTERWARDS. 

Although there be many things, they demand, 
yet if these be all, I am glad to see at what price 
they set My owne safety, and My peoples peace ; 
which I cannot think I buy at too deare a rate, 
save onely the parting with My conscience and 
honour. If nothing else will satisfie, I must 
chuse rather to be as miserable and inglorious, 
as My enemies can make or wish Me. 

Some things here propounded to Me, have 
been offered by Me ; others are easily granted ; 
the rest (I think) ought not to be obtruded upon 
Me, with the point of the sword ; nor urged with 
the injuries of a warre ; when I have already de¬ 
clared that I cannot yield to them, without vio¬ 
lating My conscience : ’tis strange, there can be 
no method of peace, but by making warre upon 
My soule. 

Here are many things required of Me, but I 
see nothing offer’d to Me, by the way of gratefull 
exchange of honour; or any requitall for those 
favours, I have, or can yet grant them. 

This honour they doe Me, to put Me on the 
giving part, which is more princely and divine. 


EIKQN BASIAIKH. 


85 

They cannot ask more then I can give, may I 
but reserve to My selfe the incommunicable 
jewell of My conscience ; and not be forced to 
part with that, whose losse nothing can repaire 
or requite. 

Some things (which they are pleased to pro¬ 
pound) seem unreasonable to Me, and while I 
have any mastery of My reason, how can they 
think I can consent to them? Who know they 
are such as are inconsistent with being either a 
King, or a good Christian. My yielding so much 
(as I have already) makes some men confident I 
will deny nothing. 

The love I have of My peoples peace, hath 
(indeed) great influence upon Me; but the love 
of truth, and inward peace hath more. 

Should I grant some things they require, I 
should not so much weaken My outward state of 
a King; as wound that inward quiet of My con¬ 
science, which ought to be, is, and ever shall 
be (by Gods grace) dearer to Me thenlYfy king- 
domes. 

Some things which a King might approve, yet 
in honour and policy are at some time to be de¬ 
nied, to some men, lest he should seeme not to 
dare to deny any thing ; and give too much in- 


8G E1KQN BA2IAIKH. 

couragement to unreasonable demands, or im¬ 
portunities. 

But to binde My selfe to a generall and im¬ 
plicate consent, to what ever they shall desire ; 
or propound, (for such is one of their proposi¬ 
tions) were such a latitude of blinde obedience, 
as never was expected from any freeman, nor fit 
to be required of any man, much lesse of a King, 
by his owne subjects ; any of whom he may 
possibly exceed as much in wisdome, as he doth 
in place and power. 

This were as if Sampson should have consented, 
not onely to binde his owne hands, and cut off 
his haire, but to put out his owne eyes, that the 
Philistins might with the more safety mock, and 
abuse him; which they chuse rather to doe, then 
quite to destroy him, when he was become so 
tame an object, and fit occasion for their sport 
and scorne. 

Certainly, to exclude all power of deniall, 
seemes an arrogancy, least of all becomming 
those who pretend to make their addresses in an 
humble and loyall way of petitioning; who by 
that sufficiently confesse their owne inferiority, 
which obligeth them to rest, if not satisfied, yet 
quieted with such an answer as the will and 


EIKQN BASIAIKH. 


ST 


reason of their superiour thinks fit to give : who 
is acknowledged to have a freedome and power 
of reason, to consent, or dissent, else it were 
very foolish and absurd to ask, what another 
having not liberty to deny, neither hath power 
to grant. 

But if this be My right belonging to Me, in 
reason, as a man, and in honour as a soveraigne 
king, (as undoubtedly it doth) how can it be 
other then extreame injury to confine My reason 
to a necessity of granting all they have a mind 
to ask, whose minds may be as differing from 
Mine both in reason and honour, as their aims 
may be, and their qualities are; which last God 
and the lawes have sufficiently distinguisht, 
making Me their soveraigne, and them My sub¬ 
jects : whose propositions may soon prove vio¬ 
lent oppositions, if once they gain to be neces¬ 
sary impositions upon the regall authority. 
Since no man seekes to limit and confine his 
King, in reason, who hath not a secret aime to 
share with him, or usurp upon him in power and 
dominion. 

But they would have Me trust to their modera¬ 
tion, and abandon Mine owne discretion; that 
so I might verifie what representations some have 


S8 ETKQN BA2IAIKH. 

made of Me to the world, that I am fitter to be 
their pupill then their prince. Truly I am not 
so confident of My owne sufficiency, as not wil¬ 
lingly to admit the counsell of others : but yet 
I am not so diffident of My selfe, as brutishly to 
submit to any mens dictates, and at once to be¬ 
tray the soveraignty of reason in My soule, and 
the majesty of My owne crowne to any of My 
subjects. 

Least of all have I any ground of credulity, to 
induce Me fully to submit to all the desires of 
those men, who will not admit or doe refuse, 
and neglect to vindicate the freedome of their 
owne and others, sitting and voting in Parlia¬ 
ment. 

Besides, all men that know them, know this, 
how young states-men (the most part) of these 
propounders are; so that, till experience of one 
seven yeers hath shewed Me, how well they can 
governe themselves, and so much power as is 
wrested from Me, I should be very foolish in¬ 
deed, and unfaithfull, in My trust, to put the 
reins of both reason and government, wholly out 
of My owne, into their hands, whose driving is 
already too much like Jehues; and whose for- 
wardnesse to ascend the throne of supremacy 


EIKQN BASIAIKH. 


89 


portends more of Ph&ton then of Phebus; God 
divert the omen if it be his will. 

They may remember, that at best they sit in 
Parliament, as My subjects, not My superiours; 
called to be My counsellours, not dictatours: 
their summons extends to recommend their ad¬ 
vice, not to command My duty. 

When I first heard of propositions to be sent 
Me, I expected either some good lawes, which 
had been antiquated by the course of time, or 
overlayd by the corruption of manners, had been 
desired to a restauration of their vigour and due 
execution; or some evill customes preterlegall, 
and abuses personall had been to be removed: 
or some injuries done by My selfe, and others, 
to the Common-weale, were to be repaired: or 
some equable offertures were to be tendred to 
Me, wherein the advantages of My crowne being 
considered by them, might fairly induce Me to 
condiscend, to what tended to My subjects good, 
without any great diminution of My selfe, whom 
nature, law, reason, and religion, binde Me (in 
the first place) to preserve : without which, ’tis 
impossible to preserve My people according to 
My place. 

Or (at least) I looked for such moderate de- 


90 


ETKfiN BA2TAIKH. 


sires of due reformation of what was (indeed) 
amisse in Church and State, as might still pre¬ 
serve the foundation and essentials of govern¬ 
ment in both; not shake and quite overthrow 
either of them, without any regard to the lawes 
in force, the wisdome and piety of former Par¬ 
liaments, the ancient and universall practise of 
Christian Churches; the rights and priviledges 
of particular men : nor yet any thing offered in 
lieu, or in the roome of what must be destroyed, 
which might at once reach the good end of the 
others institution, and also supply its pretended 
defects, reforme its abuses, and satisfie sober and 
wise men, not with soft and specious words, pre¬ 
tending zeale and speciall piety, but with preg¬ 
nant and solid reasons both divine and humane, 
which might justifie the abruptnesse and neces¬ 
sity of such vast alterations. 

But in all their propositions I can observe 
little of these kinds, or to these ends: nothing 
of any lawes disjointed, which are to be restored; 
of any right invaded ; of any justice to be un¬ 
obstructed; of any compensations to be made; 
of any impartiall reformation to be granted; to 
all, or any of which, reason, religion, true policy, 
or any other humane motives, might induce Me. 


ETKQN BASTATKH, 


91 


But as to the maine matters propounded by 
them at any time, in which is either great no¬ 
velty, or difficulty. I perceive that what were 
formerly looked upon as factions in the State, 
and schismes in the Church, and so, punishable 
by the iawes, have now the confidence, by vulgar 
clamours, and assistance (chiefly) to demand not 
onely tolerations of themselves, in their vanity, 
novelty, and confusion; but also abolition of 
the lawes against them : and a totall extirpation 
of that government, whose rights they have a 
mind to envade. 

This, as to the maine; other propositions are 
(for the most part) but as waste paper in which 
those are wrapped up to present them somewhat 
more handsomely. 

Nor doe I so much wonder at the variety, and 
horrible novelty of some propositions, (there 
being nothing so monstrous, which some fancies 
are not prone to long for.) 

This casts Me into, not an admiration, but an 

extasie, how such things should have the fortune 

to be propounded in the name of the two Houses 

of the Parliament of England: among whom, I 

am very confident, there was not a fourth part 
*/ 

of the members of either House, whose judge- 


92 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


merits free, single and apart did approve or de¬ 
sire such destructive changes in the government 
of the Church. 

I am perswaded there remaines in farre the 
major part of both Houses, (if free, and full) so 
much learning, reason, religion, and just mo¬ 
deration, as to know how to sever between the 
use and the abuse of things ; the institution, and 
the corruption, the government and the mis- 
government, the primitive patterns and the aber¬ 
rations or blottings of after copies. 

Sure they could not all, upon so little, or no 
reason (as yet produced to the contrary) so soon 
renounce all regard to the lawes in force, to an¬ 
tiquity, to the piety of their reforming proge¬ 
nitors, to the prosperity of former times in this 
Church and State, under the present government 
of the Church. 

Yet, by a strange fatality, these men suffer 
either by their absence, or silence, or negligence, 
or supine credulity (believing that all is gold, 
which is guilded with shewes of zeale and re¬ 
formation) their private dissenting in judgement 
to be drawne into the common sewer or streame 
of the present vogue and humour; which hath 
its chiefe rise and abetment from those popular 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


93 


clamours and tumults : which served to give life 
and strength to the infinite activity of those men, 
who studied with all diligence, and policy, to 
improve to their innovating designes, the present 
distractions. 

Such armies of propositions having so little, 
in My judgement, of reason, justice, and reli¬ 
gion on their side, as they had tumult and fac¬ 
tion for their rise, must not go alone, but ever 
be backt and seconded, with armies of souldiers: 
though the second should prevaile against My 
person, yet the first shall never overcome Me, 
further than I see cause ; for, I look not at their 
number and power so much, as I weigh their 
reason and justice. 

Had the two Houses first sued out their livery, 
and once effectually redeemed themselves from 
the wardship of the tumults, (which can be no 
other than the hounds that attend the cry, and 
hollow of those men, who hunt after factious, 
and private designes, to the mine of Church and 
State.) 

Did My judgement tell Me, that the proposi¬ 
tions sent to Me were the results of the major 
part of their votes, who exercise their freedome, 
as well as they have a right to sit in Parliament: 


1)1 


EIKGN BA2IAIKH. 


I should then suspect My owne judgement, for 
not speedily and fully concurring with every one 
of them. 

For, I have charity enough to think, there are 
wise men among them: and humility to think, 

that, as in some things I may want; so ’tis fit 

\ 

I should use their advise, which is the end for 
which I called them to a Parliament. But yet 
I cannot allow their wisdome such a compleat- 
nesse and inerrability as to exclude My selfe; 
since none of them hath that part to act, that 
trust to discharge, nor that estate and honour to 
preserve as My selfe; without whose reason con¬ 
current with theirs (as the suns influence is ne¬ 
cessary in all natures productions) they cannot 
beget, or bring forth any one compleat and au¬ 
thoritative act of publique wisdome, which makes 
the lawes. 

But the unreasonablenesse of some proposi¬ 
tions is not more evident to Me then this is, that 
they are not the joynt and free desires of those 
in their major number, who are of right to sit 
and vote in Parliament. 

For, many of them savour very strong of that 
old leaven of innovations, masked under the 
name of reformation ; which in My two last 


EIKQN BASIAIKH. 


‘Jo 


famous predecessours dayes, heaved at, and 
sometime threatned both Prince and Parlia¬ 
ments : but, I am sure was never want so farre 
to infect the whole masse of the nobility and 
gentry of this kingdome ; however it dispersed 
among the vulgar : nor was it likely so suddenly 
to taynt the major part of both Houses, as that 
they should unanimously desire, and affect so 
enormous and dangerous innovasions in Church 
and State, contrary to their former education, 
practise, and judgement. 

Not that I am ignorant, how the choice of 
many members was carried by much faction in 
the countries ; some thirsting after nothing more, 
then a passionate revenge of what ever displea¬ 
sure they had conceived against Me, My court, 
or the clergy. 

But all reason bids Me impute these sudden 
and vast desires of change to those few, who 
armed themselves with the many-headed, and 
many-handed tumults. 

No lesse doth reason, honour, and safety both 
of Church and State command Me, to chew such 
morsels, before I let them downe; if the strait- 
nesse of My conscience will not give Me leave 
to swallow down such camels, as others doe of 


96 


EIKflN BA2IAIKH. 


sacriledge, and injustice both to God and man, 
they have no more cause to quarrell with Me, 
then for this, that My throat is not so wide as 
theirs. Yet by Gods help I am resolved, that 
nothing of passion, or peevishnesse, or list to 
contradict, or vanity to shew My negative power, 
shall have any byas upon My judgement, to 
make Me gratifie My will, by denying any thing, 
which My reason and conscience commands Me 
not. 

Nor on the other side, will I consent to more 
then reason, justice, honour, and religion per- 
swade Me, to be for Gods glory, the churches 
good. My peoples welfare, and My owne peace. 

I will study to satisfie My Parliament, and My 
people; but I will never, for feare, or flattery, 
gratifie any faction, how potent soever, for this 
were to nourish the disease, and oppresse the 
body. 

Although many mens loyalty and prudence 
are terrified from giving Me, that free, and faith- 
full counsell, which they are able and willing to 
impart, and I may want: yet none can hinder 
Me from craving of the counsell of that mighty 
Counsellour, who can both suggest what is best, 
and incline My heart stedfastly to follow it. 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


97 

0 thou first and eternall reason, whose wisdome is 
fortified with omnipotency, furnish thy servant,first 
ivith cleare discoveries of truth , reason, and justice, 
in My understanding: then so confirme My will and 
resolution to adhere to them, that no terrours, in¬ 
juries, or oppressions of My enemies may ever enforce 
Me against those rules, which thou by them hast 
planted in My conscience. 

Thou never madest Me a King, that I should be 
lesse then a man; and not dare to say, yea, or nay, 
as I see cause; which freedome is not denied to the 
meanest creature, that hath the use of reason, and 
liberty of speech • 

Shall that be blameable in Me, which is commend¬ 
able veracity and constancy in others ? 

Thou seest, O Lord, ivith what partiality, and 
injustice they deny that freedome to Me their King, 
which thou hast given to all men; and which them¬ 
selves pertinaciously challenge to themselves; while 
theij are so tender of the least breach of their privi- 
ledges. 

To thee I make My supplication, who const guide 
us by an unerring rule, through the perplexed laby¬ 
rinths of our owne thoughts, ond other mens propo¬ 
sals ; which, I have some cause to suspect, are pur¬ 
posely cast as snares, that by My granting or denying 

H 


98 


EIKGN BASIAIKH. 


them, I might be more entangled in those difficulties, 
wherewith they lie in wait to afflict Me. 

O Lord, make thy way plain before Me. 

Let not My owne sinfull passions cloud, or divert 
thy sacred suggestions. 

Let thy glory be My end, thy word My rule, and 
then thy will be done. 

I cannot please all, I care not to please some men; 
if I may be happy to please thee, I need not feare 
whom I displease. 

Thou that makest the wisdome of the world fool- 
ishnesse, and takest in their owne devices, such as are 
raise in their owne conceits, make Me wise by thy 
truth, for thy honour, My kingdomes generall good, 
and My owne soules salvation, and I shall not much 
regard the worlds opinion or diminution off' Me. 

The lesse wisdome they are willing to impute to 
Me, the more they shall be convinced of thy wisdome 
directing Me, while I deny nothing fit to be granted, 
out of crossenesse, or humour ; nor grant any thing 
which is to be denied, out of any feare, or flattery off' 
men. 

Suffer Me not to be guilty, or unhappy, by willing 
or inconsiderate advancing any mens designes, which 
are injurious to the publique good, while I confirm 
them by My consent. 


EIKQN B A SI AIK H. 


99 


Nor let Me be any occasion to hinder or defraud 

% 

the publique of what is best, by any morose or per¬ 
verse dissentings. 

Make Me so humbly charitable, as to follow their 
advise, when it appeares to be for the publique good, 
or whose affections to Me, I have yet but few evi¬ 
dences to assure Me. 

Thou canst as well blesse honest errour, as blast 
fraudulent counsels. 

Since we must give an account of every evill and 
idle word in private, at thy tribunall; Lord make 
Me carefull of those solemn declarations of My 
minde ivhich are like to have the greatest influence 
upon the publique, either for woe, or weale. 

The lesse others consider what they aske, make Me 
the more solicytous what I answer. 

Though Mine owne, and My peoples pressures are 
grievous, and peace would be very pleasing; yet 
Lord, never safer Me to avoyd the one, or purchase 
the other, with the least expence or waste of My con¬ 
science ; whereof thou, O Lord, onely art deservedly 
more master then My selfe. 


100 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


XII. UPON THE REBELLION, AND TROUBLES IN 

IRELAND. 

The commotions in Ireland were so sudden, and 
so violent, that it was hard at first either to dis- 
cerne the rise, or apply a remedy to that preci¬ 
pitant rebellion. 

Indeed, that sea of bloud, which hath there 
been cruelly and barbarously shed, is enough to 
drowne any man in eternall both infamy and mi¬ 
sery, whom God shall finde the malicious au- 
thour or instigator of its effusion. 

It fell out as a most unhappy advantage to 
some mens malice against me ; that when they 
had impudence enough to lay any thing to My 
charge, this bloudy opportunity should be offered 
them, with which I must be aspersed. Although 
there was nothing which could be more abhorred 
to Me, being so full of sinne against God, dis¬ 
loyalty to My selfe, and destructive to My sub¬ 
jects. 

Some men took it very ill not to be believed, 
when they affirmed, that what the Irish rebels 
did, was done with My privity (at least) if not 
by My commission : but these knew too well, 
that it is no news for some of My subjects to 


EIKQN BA21AIKH. 


101 


fight, not onely without My commission, but 
against My command, and person too; yet all 
the while to pretend, they fight by My authority, 
and for My safety. 

I would to God the Irish had nothing to al¬ 
ledge for their imitation against those, whose 
blame must needs be the greater, by how much 
Protestant principles are more against all rebel¬ 
lion against princes, then those of Papists. Nor 
will the goodnesse of mens intentions excuse the 
scandal, and contagion of their examples. 

But who ever faile of their duty toward Me, 
I must beare the blame; this honour My enemies 
have alwaies done Me, to think moderate injuries 
not proportionate to Me, nor competent trialls, 
either of My patience under them, or My pardon 
of them. 

Therefore with exquisite malice they have 
mixed the gall and vinegar of falsity and con¬ 
tempt, with the cup of My affliction; charging 
Me not onely with untruths, but such, as wherein 
I have the greatest share of losse and dishonour 
by what is committed ; whereby (in all policy, 
reason, and religion, having least cause to give 

the least consent, and most grounds of utter de- 

> 

testation) I might be represented by them to the 


102 


E1KS2N BA2IA1KH. 


world tlie more inhumane and barbarous : like 
some Cyclopick monster, whom nothing will 
serve to eat and drink, but the flesh and bloud 
of My owne subjects ; in whose common welfare 
My interest lies as much as some mens doth in 
their perturbations : who thinke they cannot doe 
well but in evill times, nor so cunningly as in 
laying the odium of those sad events on others, 
wherewith themselves are most pleased, and 
whereof they have been not the least occasion. 

And certainly, tis thought by many wise men, 
that the preposterous rigour, and unreasonable 
severity, which some men carried before them in 
England , was not the least incentive, that kin¬ 
dled, and blew up into those horrid flames, the 
sparks of discontent, which wanted not pre-dis- 
posed fewel for rebellion in Ireland; where 
despaire being added to their former discontents, 
and the feares of utter extirpation to their wonted 
oppressions, it was easie to provoke to an open 
rebellion, a people prone enough, to break out 
to all exorbitant violence, both by some prin¬ 
ciples of their religion, and the naturall desires 
of liberty ; both to exempt themselves from their 
present restraints, and to prevent those-' after 
rigours, wherewith they saw themselves appa- 


EIKGN BAS1AIKH. 


103 


rently threatned, by the covetous zeale, and un¬ 
charitable fury of some men, who thinke it a 
great argument of the truth of their religion, to 
endure no other but their owne. 

God knowes, as I can with truth wash My 
hands in innocency, as to any guilt in that re¬ 
bellion ; so I might wash them in My tears, as 
to the sad apprehensions I had, to see it spread 
so farre, and make such waste. And this in a 
time, when distractions, and jealousies here in 
England , made most men rather intent to their 
owne safety, or designes they were driving, then 
to the relief of those, who were every day inhu¬ 
manely butchered in Ireland: whose teares and 
bloud might, if nothing else, have quenched, or 
at least for a time, repressed and smothered those 
sparkes of civill dissentions, and jealousies, 
which in England some men most industriously 
scattered. 

T would to God no man had been lesse affected 
with Irelands sad estate then My selfe ; I offered 
to goe My selfe in person upon that expedition; 
but some men were either afraid I should have 
any one kingdome quieted; or loath they were 
to shoot at any marke here lesse then My selfe; 
or that any should have the glory of My destruc- 


104 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


tion but themselves. Had My many offers been 
accepted, I am confident neither the ruine had 
been so great, nor the calamity so long, nor the 
remedy so desperate. 

So that, next to the sinne of those, who began 
that rebellion, theirs must needs be, who either 
hindred the speedy suppressing of it by domes- 
tick dissentions, or diverted the aides, or exas¬ 
perated the rebels to the most desperate resolu¬ 
tions and actions, by threatning all extremities, 
not onely to the known heads, and chief incen¬ 
diaries, but even to the whole community of that 
nation; resolving to destroy root and branch, 
men, women and children; without any regard 
to those usuall pleas for mercy, which con- 
querours, not wholly barbarous, are wont to hear 
from their owne breasts, in behalfe of those, 
whose oppressive feares, rather then their malice, 
engaged them; or whose imbecility for sex and 
age was such, asthey could neither lift up a hand 
against them, nor distinguish between their right 
hand and their left: which preposterous, and (I 
think) un-evangelicall zeale is too like that of 
the rebuked disciples, who would go no lower in 
their revenge, then to call for fire from Heaven 
upon whole cities, for the repulse or neglect of a 


E1KQN BA2IAIKH. 105 

few ; or like that of Jacobs sons, which the father 
both blamed and cursed : chusing rather to use 
all extremites, which might drive men to des¬ 
perate obstinacy, then to apply moderate re¬ 
medies ; such as might punish some with ex¬ 
emplary justice, yet disarme others, with tenders 
of mercy upon their submission, and our protec¬ 
tion of them, from the fury of those, who would 
soon drowne them, if they refused to swim down 
the popular stream with them. 

But some kind of zeale counts all mercifull 
moderation, luke-warmnesse; and had rather be 
cruell then counted cold, and is not seldome 
more greedy to kill the bear for his skin, then 
for any harme he hath done. The confiscation 
of mens estates being more beneficiall, then the 
charity of saving their lives, or reforming their 
errours. 

When all proportionable succours of the poor 
Protestants in Ireland (who were daily massacred, 
and overborne with numbers of now desperate 
enemies) were diverted and obstructed here ; I 
was earnestly entreated, and generally advised 
by the chiefe of the Protestant party there to get 
them some respite and breathing by a cessation, 
without which they saw no probability (unlesse 


IOC EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 

by miracle) to preserve the remnant that had yet 
escaped: God knowes with how much commi¬ 
seration and solicitous caution I carried on that 
businesse, by persons of honour and integrity, 
that so I might neither incourage the rebels in¬ 
solence, nor discourage the Protestants loyalty 
and patience. 

Yet when this was effected in the best sort, 
that the necessity and difficulty of affaires would 
then permit, I was then to suffer again in My 
reputation and honour, because I suffered not 
the rebels utterly to devour the remaining hand¬ 
fuls of the Protestants there. 

I thought that in all reason, the gaining of that 
respite could not be so much to the rebels ad¬ 
vantages (which some have highly calumniated 
against Me) as it might have been for the Pro¬ 
testants future, as well as present safety; if 
during the time of that cessation, some men had 
had the grace to have laid Irelands sad condition 
more to heart; and laid aside those violent mo¬ 
tions, which were here carried on by those, that 
had better skill to let bloud than to stanch it. 

But in all the misconstructions of My actions, 
(which are prone to find more credulity in men 
to what is false, and evill, then love or charity 


E1KUN BA2IA.IKH. 


107 


to what is true and good) as I have no judge but 
God above Me, so I can have comfort to appeale 
to his omniscience, who doth not therefore deny 
My innocence, because he is pleased so farre to 
try My patience, as he did his servant Jobs . 

I have enough to doe to look to My owne 
conscience, and the faithfull discharge of My 
trust as a King ; I have scarce leisure to con¬ 
sider those swarms of reproaches, which issue 
out of some mens mouthes and hearts, as easily 
as smoke, or sparks doe out of a fornace; much 
lesse to make such prolix apologies, as might 
give those men satisfaction: who conscious to 
their owne depth of wickednesse, are loath to 
believe any man not to be as bad as them¬ 
selves. 

? Tis kingly to doe well, and heare ill: if I can 
but act the one, I shall not much regard to beare 
the other. 

I thanke God I can heare with patience, as bad 
as My worst enemies can falsly say. And I 
hope I shall still doe better then they desire, or 
deserve I should. 

I believe it will at last appear, that they who 
first began to embroyle My other kingdomes, are 
in great part guilty, if not of the first letting out. 


108 


EIJCQN BA2IAIKH. 


yet of the not-timely stopping those horrid effu¬ 
sions of bloud in Ireland. 

Which (whatever My enemies please to say, 
or think) I looke upon, as that of My other king- 
domes, exhausted out of My owne veins ; no man 
being so much weakned by it, as My selfe ; and 
I hope, though mens unsalable cruelties never 
will, yet the mercy of God will at length say to 
his justice. It is enough: and command the sword 
of civill wars to sheath it selfe, his mercifull jus¬ 
tice intending, I trust, not our utter confusion, 
but our cure : the abatement of our sinnes, not 
the desolating of these nations. 

O My God , let those infinite mercies prevent us 
once again , which I and My kingdomes have for¬ 
merly abused, arid can never deserve , should be restored. 

Thou seest how much cruelty among Christians is 
acted under the colour of religion; as if we could not 
be Christians, unlesse we crucfie one another. 

Because we have not more loved thy truth , and 
practised in charity , thou hast suffered a spirit of 
errour and bitternesse, of mutuall and mortall hatred 
to rise among us. 

O Lord, forgive wherein we have sinned, and sane - 
t fie what we have suffered. 


EIKQN BASIAIKH. 


109 


Let our repentance be our recovery, as our great 
sinnes have been our ruine. 

Let not the miseries I and My kingdomes have 
hitherto suffered seem small to thee: but make our 
sinnes appeare to our consciences, as they are repre¬ 
sented in theglasse of thy judgements ; for thou never 
punishest small failings with so severe afflictions. 

O therefore, according to the multitude of thy 
great mercies, pardon our sinnes, and remove thy 
judgements which are very many, and very heavy . 

Yet let our sinnes be ever more grievous to us, then 
thy judgements; and make us more willing to repent, 
then to be relieved; frst give us the peace of penitent 
consciences, and then the tranquility of united king- 
domes. 

In the sea of our Saviours bloud drowne our 
sinnes, and through this red sea of our owne bloud 
bring us at last to a state of piety, peace, and plenty. 

As My publique relations to all, make Me share in 
all My subjects sufferings; so give Me such a pious 
sense of them, as becomes a Christian King, and a 
loving father of My people. 

Let the scandalous and unjust reproaches cast upon 
Me, be as a breath, more to kindle My compassion; 
give Me grace to heap charitable .coles of fire upon 
their heads to melt them, whose malice or cruell zeale 


110 


EIRQN BA2IAIKH. 


hath kindled, or kindred the quenching of thosefames, 
which have so much wasted My three kingdomes. 

O rescue and assist those poore Protestants in 
Ireland, whom thou hast hitherto preserved. 

And lead those in the waies of thy saving truths, 
whose ignorance or errours have filed them with re¬ 
bellious and destructive principles: which they act 
under an opinion, that they doe thee good service. 

Let the hand of thy justice be against those, who 
maliciously and despitefully have raised, or fomented 
those cruel and desperate warns. 

Thou that art farre from destroying the innocent 
with the guilty, and the erroneous with the malicious; 
thou that hadst pity on Niniveh for the many chil¬ 
dren that were therein, give not over the whole stock 
oj that populous and seduced nation, to the wrath 
of those, whose covetousnesse makes them cruell; nor 
to their anger, which is too fierce, and therefore justly 
cursed. 

Preserve, if it be thy will, in the midst of the for- 
nace of thy severe justice a posterity, which may 
praise thee for thy mercy. 

And deale with Me, not according to mans unjust 
reproaches, but according to the innocency of My 
hands in thy sight. 

If I have desired, or delighted in the wofull day 


EIKQN BASIAIKH. 


Ill 


of My kingdomes calamities, if I have not earnestly 
studied, and faithfully endeavoured the 'preventing 
and composing of these hloudy distractions; then let 
thy hand he against Me, and My fathers house. O 
Lord, thou seest I have enemies enough of men; as I 
need not, so I should not dare thus to imprecate thy 
curse on Me and Mine, if My conscience did not wit- 
nesse My integrity, which thou O Lord knowest right 
well; hut I trust not to My owne merit, hut thy 
mercies, spare us, O Lord, and he not angry with us 
for ever. 


♦ 


112 


ElKQN BASIAIKH. 


XIII. UPON THE CALLING IN OF THE SCOTS, AND 

THEIR COMMING. 

The Scots are a nation, upon whom I have not 
onely common ties of nature, soveraignty, and 
bounty, with My father of blessed memory ; but 
also speciall and late obligations of favours, 
having gratified the active spirits among them so 
farre, that I seemed to many, to prefer the desires 
of that party, before My owne interest and ho¬ 
nour. But, I see, royall bounty emboldens some 
men to aske, and act beyond all bounds of mo¬ 
desty and gratitude. 

My charity, and act of pacification, forbids 
Me to reflect on former passages; wherein I shall 
ever be farre from letting any mans ingratitude, 
or inconstancy, make Me repent of what I 
granted them, for the publique good: I pray 
God it may so prove. 

The comming againe of that party into Eng - 
land, with an army, onely to conforme this Church 
to their late new modell, cannot but seeme as 
unreasonable, as they would have thought the 
same measure offered from hence to themselves. 

Other errand I could never understand, they 
had, (besides those common and vulgar flou- 


EIKQN BA SI AIK H. 


113 


rishes for religion and liberty) save onely to con- 
firme the Presbyterian copy they had set, by 
making this Church to write after them, tho it 
were in bloudy characters. 

Which designe and end, whether it will justifie 
the use of such violent meanes, before the divine 
justice, I leave to their consciences to judge, 
who have already felt the misery of the meanes, 
but not reaped the benefit of the end, either in 
this kingdome, or that. 

Such knots and crosnesse of grain being ob¬ 
jected here, as will hardly suffer that forme which 
they cry up, as the onely just reformation, and 
setling of government and discipline in churches, 
to go on so smoothly here, as it might doe in 
Scotland; and was by them imagined would have 
done in England, when so many of the English 
clergy, through levity, or discontent, if no worse 
passion, suddenly quitted their former engage¬ 
ments to episcopacy, and faced about to their 
Presbytery. 

It cannot but seeme either passion, or some 
self-seeking, more then true zeale, and pious 
discretion, for any forraigne State or Church to 
prescribe such medicines onely for others, which 


i 


lit 


eikqn eaiiaikh. 


themselves have used, rather successefully then 
commendably ; not considering that the same 
physick on different constitutions, will have dif¬ 
ferent operations; that may kill one, which doth 
but cure another. 

Nor doe I know any such tough and malignant 
humours in the constitution of the English 
Church, which gentler applications then those of 
an army, might not easily have removed : nor is 
it so proper to hew out religious reformations by 
the sword, as to polish them by faire and equall 
disputations among those that are most con¬ 
cerned in the differences, whom not force, but 
reason ought to convince. 

But their designe now, seemed rather to cut 
off all disputation here, then to procure a faire 
and equall one : for, it was concluded there, that 
the English clergy must conforme to the Scots 
pattern before ever they could be heard, what 
they could say for themselves, or against the 
others way. 

I could have wished fairer proceedings both 
for their credits, who urge things with such vio¬ 
lence ; and for other mens consciences too, who 
can receive little satisfaction in these points 


EIKQN B42IAIKH. 


115 


which are maintained rather by souldiers fight¬ 
ing in the field, then schollars disputing in free 
and learned synods. 

Sure in matters of religion those truths gaine 
most on mens judgements and consciences, which 
are least urged with secular violence, which 
weakens truth with prejudices; and is unreason¬ 
able to be used, till such meanes of rationall 
conviction hath been applied, as leaving no ex¬ 
cuse for ignorance, condemnes mens obstinacy 
to deserved penalties. 

Which no charity will easily suspect of so 
many learned and pious Church-men in England; 
who being alwaies bred up, and conformable to 
the government of episcopacy, cannot so soon 
renounce both their former opinion and practise, 
onely because that party of the Scots will needs, 
by force assist a like party here, either to drive 
all ministers, as sheep into the common fold of 
Presbytery, or destroy them ; at least fleece 
them, by depriving them of the benefit of their 
flocks. If the Scotch sole Presbytery were proved 
to be the onely institution of Jesus Christ, for 
all Churches government; yet I believe it would 
be hard to prove that Christ had given those 
Scots, or any other of My subjects, commission 

• i 2 



EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


I1C 

by the sword to set it up in any of My kingdomes, 
without My consent. 

What respect and obedience Christ and his 
Apostles pay’d to the chief governours of States, 
where they lived, is very clear in the Gospell; 
but that he, or they ever commanded to set up 
such a parity of Presbyters, and in such a way 
as those Scots endeavour; I think is not very 
disputable. 

If Presbytery in such a supremacy be an in¬ 
stitution of Christ, sure it differs from all others, 
and is the first and onely point of Christianity, 
that was to be planted and watered with so much 
Christian bloud; whose effusion runs in a stream 
so contrary to that of the primitive planters, 
both of Christianity and episcopacy, which was 
with patient shedding of their owne bloud, not 
violent drawing other mens; sure there is too 
much of man in it, to have much of Christ, none 
of whose institutions were carried on, or begun 
with the temptations of covetousnesse or ambi¬ 
tion; of both which this is vehemently sus¬ 
pected. 

Yet was there never any thing upon the point, 
which those Scots had by army or commissioners 
to move Me with, by their many solemne obtes- 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


117 


tations, and pious threatnings, but onely this ; 
to represent to Me the wonderfull necessity of 
setting up their Presbytery in England, to avoyd 
the further miseries of a warre; which some men 
chiefly on this designe at first had begun, and 
now further engaged themselves to continue. 

What hinders that any sects, schismes, or he¬ 
resies, if they can get but numbers, strength, 
and opportunity, may not, according to this opi¬ 
nion and patterne, set up their waies by the like 
methods of violence? All which Presbytery 
seekes to suppresse, and render odious under 
those names; when w T ise and learned men think, 
that nothing hath more marks of schisme, and 
sectarisme, then this Presbyterian way, both as 
to the ancient, and still most universall way of 
the Church-government, and especially as to the 
particular lawes and constitutions of this English 
Church, which are not yet repealed, nor are like 
to be for Me, till I see more rationall and reli¬ 
gious motives then souldiers use to carry in their 
knapsacks. 

But we must leave the successe of all to God, 
who hath many waies (having first taken us off 
from the folly of our opinions, and fury of our 
passion) to teach us those rules of true reason, 


E1KC2N BASIA1KH. 


118 

and peaceable wisdome, which is from above, 
tending most to Gods glory, and his Churches 
good; which I think My selfe so much the more 
bound in conscience to attend, with the most 
judicious zeale and care, by how much I esteem 
the Church above the State, the glory of Christ 
above Mine owne; and the salvation of mens 
soules above the preservation of their bodies and 
estates. 

Nor may any men, I thinke, without sinne and 
presumption, forcibly endeavour to cast the 
Churches under My care and tuition, into the 
moulds they have fancied, and fashioned to their 
designes, till they have first gained My consent, 
and resolved, both My owne and other mens 
consciences by the strength of their reasons. 

Other violent motions, which are neither 
manly, Christian, nor loyall, shal never either 
shake or settle My religion ; nor any mans else, 
who knowes what religion means: and how farre 
it is removed from all faction, whose proper en¬ 
gine is force ; the arbitrator of beasts, not of 
reasonable men, much lesse of humble Chris¬ 
tians, and loyall subjects, in matters of religion. 

But men are prone to have such high conceits 
of themselves, that they care not what cost they 


EIKQN BASIAIKH. 


119 


lay out upon their opinions; especially those, 
that have some temptation of gaine, to recom- 
pence their losses and hazzards. 

Yet I was not more scandalized at the Scots 
armies comming in against My will, and their 
forfeiture of so many obligations of duty, and 
gratitude to Me; then I wondred, how those 
here could so much distrust Gods assistance, 
who so much pretended Gods cause to the peo¬ 
ple, as if they had the certainty of some divine 
revelation; considering they were more then 
competently furnished with My subjects armes 
and ammunition; My navy by sea, My forts, 
castles, and cities by land. 

But I find, that men jealous of the justifiable- 
nesse of their doings, and designes before God, 
never think they have humane strength enough 
to carry their work on, seem it never so plausible 
to the people; what cannot be justified in law 
or religion, had need be fortified with power. 

And yet such is the inconstancy that attends 
all minds engaged in violent motion, that whom 
some of them one while earnestly invite to come 
in to their assistance; others of them soone after 
are weary of, and with nauseating cast them out: 
what one party thought to rivet to a setlednes 


120 


EIKQN BASIAIKH. 


by the strength and influence of’ the Scots , that 
the other rejects and contemnes ; at once, des¬ 
pising the Kirk government, and discipline of 
the Scots, and frustrating the successe of so 
chargeable, more then charitable assistance : for, 
sure the Church of England might have pur¬ 
chased at a farre cheaper rate, the truth and 
happinesse of reformed government and disci¬ 
pline (if it had been wanting) though it had en¬ 
tertained the best divines of Christendom for 
their advice in a full and free synod; which, I 
was ever willing to, and desirous of, that matters 
being impartially setled, might be more satis¬ 
factory to all, and more durable. 

But much of Gods justice, and mans folly will 
at length be discovered, through all the filmes 
and pretensions of religion, in which politicians 
wrap up their designes; in vaine do men hope 
to build their piety on the mines of loyalty. Nor 
can those confederations or designes be durable, 
when subjects make bankrupt of their allegi¬ 
ance, under pretence of setting up a quicker 
trade for religion. 

But, as My best subjects of Scotland never de¬ 
serted Me, so I cannot think that the most are 
gone so farre from Me, in a prodigality of their 


E1K12N BA2IAIKH. 


121 


love and respects toward Me, as to make Me to 
despaire of their returne; when besides the bonds 
of nature and conscience, which they have to 
Me, all reason and true policy will teach them, 
that their chiefest interest consists in their fide¬ 
lity to the crowne, not in their serviceablenesse 
to any party of the people, to a neglect and be¬ 
traying of My safety and honour for their owne 
advantages : however, the lesse cause I have to 
trust to men, the more I shall apply My selfe to 
God. 

The troubles of My soule are enlarged, O Lord, 
bring thou Me out of My distresses 

Lord direct thy servant in the waies of that pious 
simplicity , which is the best policy . 

Deliver Me from the combined strength of those, 
who have so much of the serpents subtiltie, that they 

forget the doves innocency. 

Tho handjoyne in hand, yet let them not prevaile 
against My soule, to the betraying of My conscience, 
and honour . 

Thou, O Lord, canst turne the hearts of those 
parlies in both nations, as thou didst the men of 
Judah and Israel, to restore David with as much 


122 


EIKQN BASIA1KH. 


loyall zeale, as they did ivith inconstancy and eager- 
nesse pursue him. 

Preserve the love of thy truth and uprightnesse in 
Me, and I shall not despaire of My subjects affec¬ 
tions returning towards Me. 

Thou canst soone cause the overflowing seas to ebbe, 
and retire back again to the bounds which thou hast 
appointed for them. 

O My God, I trust in thee; let Me not be ashamed; 
let not My enemies triumph over Me. 

Let them be ashamed who transgresse without a 
cause; let them be taimed back that persecute My 
soule. 

Let integrity and uprightnesse preserve Me, for I 
wait on thee, O Lord. 

Redeeme thy Church, O God, out of all its trou¬ 
bles. 


EIKA2N BASIAIKH. 


123 


XIV. UPON THE COVENANT. 

The Presbyterian Scots are not to be hired at the 
ordinary rate of auxiliaries; nothing will induce 
them to engage, till those that call them in, have 
pawned their soules to them, by a solemne league 
and covenant: 

Where many engines of religious and faire pre¬ 
tensions are brought chiefly to batter, or rase 
episcopacy; this they make the grand evill spi¬ 
rit, which, with some other imps purposely added, 
to make it more odious, and terrible to the vul¬ 
gar, must by so solemne a charme and exorcism 
be cast out of this Church, after more than a 
thousand yeares possession here, from the first 
plantation of Christianity in this island, and an 
universal prescription of time and practice in all 
other Churches since the Apostles times till this 
last century. 

But no antiquity must plead for it; Presbytery, 
like a young heyre, thinks the Father hath lived 
long enough, and impatient not to be in the 
bishops chaire and authority (though lay-men go 
away with the revenues) all heart is used to sink 
episcopacy, and lanch Presbytery in England; 


124 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


which was lately boyed up in Scotland by the 
like artifice of a covenant. 

Although I am unsatisfied with many passages 
in that covenant (some referring to My selfe with 
very dubious and dangerous limitations) yet I 
chiefly wonder at the designe and drift touching 
the discipline and government of the Church ; 
and such a manner or carrying them on to new 
waies, by oaths and covenants, where it is hard 
for men to be engaged by no lesse, then swearing 
for, or against those things, which are of no 
cleare morall necessity; but very disputable,and 
controverted among learned and godly men: 
whereto the application of oaths can hardly be 
made and enjoyned with that judgement, and 
certainly in ones selfe, or that charity and can¬ 
dour to others of different opinion, as I think 
religion requires, which never refuses fair and 
equable deliberations ; yea, and dissentings too, 
in matters onely probable. 

The enjoy ning of oaths upon people must needs 
in things doubtfull be dangerous, as in things 
unlawfully damnable; and no lesse superfluous, 
where former religious and legall engagements, 
bound men sufficiently, to all necessary duties. 


EIKQN BASfAIKH. 


125 


Nor can I see how they will reconcile such an 
innovating oath and covenant, with that former 
protestation which was so lately taken, to main- 
taine the religion established in the Church of 
England: since they account discipline so great 
a part of religion. 

But ambitious minds never think they have 
laid snares and ginnes enough to catch and hold 
the vulgar credulity : for by such politicke and 
seemingly pious stratagems, they think to keep 
the populacy fast to their parties under the 
terror of perjury : whereas certainly all honest 
and wise men ever thought themselves suffi¬ 
ciently bound by former ties of religion, allegi¬ 
ance and lawes, to God and man. 

Nor can such after-contracts, devised and im¬ 
posed by a few men in a declared party, without 
My consent, and without any like power or pre¬ 
cedent from Gods ormans lawes, be ever thought 
* • 

by judicious men sufficient either to absolve or 
slacken those morall and eternal bonds of duty 
which lie upon all My subjects consciences both 

to God and Me. 

* • - * 

Yet as things now stand, good men shall least 
offend God or Me, by keeping their covenant in 
honest and lawfull waies ; since I have the cha- 


l*2G 


EIKQN BASIAIKH. 


rity to think, that the chief end of the covenant 
in such mens intentions, was, to preserve religion 
in purity, and the kingdomes in peace : to other 
then such ends and meanes they cannot thinke 
themselves engaged ; nor will those, that have 
any true touches of conscience endeavour to 
carry on the best designes, (much lesse such as 
are, and will be daily more apparently factious 
and ambitious) by any unlawfull meanes, under 
that title of the covenant: unlesse they dare pre- 
ferre ambiguous, dangerous, and un-authorized 
novelties, before their knowne and sworne duties, 
which are indispensable, both to God and My 
selfe. 

I am prone to believe and hope, that many, 
who took the covenant, are yet firme to this 
judgement, that such later vowes, oathes, or 
leagues, can never blot out those former grav- 
ings, and characters, which by just and lawfull 
oathes were made upon their soules. 

That which makes such confederations by way 
of solemne leagues and covenants more to be sus¬ 
pected, is, that they are the common road, used 
in all factious and powerfull perturbations of 
State or Church: where formalities of extraor¬ 
dinary zeale and piety are nevermore studied and 


EIKQN BASIAIKH. 


127 


elaborate, then, when politicians most agitate 
desperate designes against all that is setled, or 
sacred in religion, and lawes, which by such 
scrues are cunningly, yet forcibly, wrested by 
secret steps, and lesse sensible degrees, from 
their known rule and wonted practise, to comply 
with the humours of those men, who ayme to 
subdue all to their owne will and power, under 
the disguises of holy combinations. 

Which cords and wythes will hold mens con¬ 
sciences no longer, then force attends and twists 
them : for every man soon growes his owne pope, 
and easily absolves himselfe of those ties, which, 
not the commands of Gods word, or the lawes 
of the land, but onely the subtiltie and terrour 
of a partie casts upon him ; either superfluous 
and vaine, when they were sufficiently tied be¬ 
fore; or fraudulent and injurious, if by such after¬ 
ligaments they find the imposers really ayming 
to dissolve, or suspend their former, just, and 
necessarie obligations. 

Indeed, such illegall wayes seldome or never 
intend the engaging men more to duties, but 
onely to parties; therefore it is not regarded how 
they keep their covenants in point of pietie pre- 


128 . EIKQN BA2TAIKH. 

tended, provided they adhere firmly to the partie 

and designe intended. 

I see the imposers of it are content to make 
their covenant like Manna (not that it came from 
Heaven, as this did) agreeable to every mans 
palate and relish, who will but swallow it: they 
admit any mens senses of it, tho diverse or con¬ 
trary ; with any salvoes, caution and reserva¬ 
tions, so as they crosse not the chiefe designe 
which is laid against the Church, and Me. 

It is enough if they get but the reputation of 
a seeming encrease to their partie ; so little doe 
men remember that God is not mocked. 

In such latitudes of sense, I believe many that 
love Me, and the Church well, may have taken 
the covenant, who yet are not so fondly and su- 
perstitiously taken by it, as now to act clearly 
against both all piety and loyalty : who first 
yielded to it, more to prevent that imminent vio¬ 
lence and mine, which hung over their heads in 
case they wholly refused it, then for any value of 
it, or devotion to it. 

Wherein, the latitude of some generall clauses 
may (perhaps) serve somewhat to relieve them, 
as of doing and endeavouring what lawfully they 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


129 


may, in their places and callings, and according to 
the word of God: for, these (indeed) carry no 
man beyond those bounds of good conscience, 
which are certaine and fixed, either in Gods 
lawes, as to the generall; or the lawes of the 
State and kingdome, as to the particular regula¬ 
tion and exercise of mens duties. 

I would to God such as glory most in the name 
of Covenanters , would keep themselves within 
those lawfull bounds, to which God hath called 
them : surely it were the best way to expiate the 
rashnesse of taking it: which must needs then 
appeare, when besides the want of a full and 
lawfull authority at first to enjoyne it, it shall 
actually be carried on beyond and against those 
ends which were in it specified and pretended. 
I willingly forgive such mens taking the Cove¬ 
nant, who keep it within such bounds of piety, 
lawe, and loyalty, as can never hurt either the 
Church, My selfe, or the publique peace: against 
which, no mans lawfull calling can engage him. 

As for that reformation of the Church, which 
the Covenant pretends, I cannot think it just or 
comely, that by the partiall advise of a few di¬ 
vines, (of so soft and servile tempers, as disposed 
them to so sudden acting and compliance, con¬ 
ic 


130 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


trary to their former judgements, profession, and 
practise) such foule scandals and suspicions 
should be cast upon the doctrine and govern¬ 
ment of the Church of England , as was never 
done (that I have heard) by any that deserved 
the name of Reformed Churches abroad, nor by 
any men of learning and candour at home: all 
whose judgements I cannot but prefer before 
any mens now factiously engaged. 

No man can be more forward then My selfe to 
carry on all due reformations, with mature judge¬ 
ment, and a good conscience, in what things I 
shall (after impartiall advise) be, by Gods word, 
and right reason, convinced to be amisse. I have 
offered more then ever the fullest, freest, and 
wisest Parliaments did desire. 

But the sequele of some mens actions makes 
it evident, that the main reformation intended, 
is the abasing of Episcopacy into Presbytery, 
and the robbing the Church of its lands and re¬ 
venues : for, no men have been more injuriously 
used, as to their legall rights then the bishops 
and church-men. These, as the fattest deer, 
must be destroyed; the other rascal-herd of 
schismes, heresies, &c. being lean, may enjoy 
the benefit of a toleration: thus Naboth’s vine- 


EIKQN BASIAIKH. 


131 


yard made him the onely blasphemer of his city, 
and fit to die. Still I see, while the breath of 
religion fills the sailes, profit is the compasse, 
by which factious men steer their course in all 
seditious commotions. 

I thank God, as no man lay more open to the 
sacrilegious temptation of usurping the Churches 
lands, and revenues, (which issuing chiefly from 
the crowne, are held of it, and legally can revert 
onely to the crowne, with My consent) so I have 
alwayes had such a perfect abhorrence of it in 
My soule, that I never found the least inclina¬ 
tion to such sacrilegious reformings : yet no man 
hath a greater desire to have bishops and all 
Church-men so reformed, that they may best de¬ 
serve and use, not onely what the pious muni¬ 
ficence of My predecessours hath given to God 
and the Church, but all other additions of Chris¬ 
tian bounty. 

But no necessity shall ever, I hope, drive Me 
or Mine to invade or sell the priests lands, which 
both Pharaoh’s divinity, and Joseph’s true piety 
abhorred to doe : so unjust I think it both in the 
eye of reason and religion, to deprive the most 
sacred employment of all due incouragements ; 
and like that other hard-hearted Pharaoh , to 

k 2 


132 


EIKQN- BASIA1KH. 


withdraw the straw, and encrease the taske; so 
pursuing the oppressed Church, as some have 
done, to the Red Sea of a civill warre, where 
nothing but a miracle can save either it, or him, 
who esteems it his greatest title to be called, 
and his chiefest glory to be the defender of the 
Church, both in its true faith, and its just fruitions; 
equally abhorring , sacriledge, and apostacy. 

I had rather live as My predecessour Henry 
III. sometime did, on the Churches almes, then 
violently to take the bread out of bishops and 
ministers mouths. 

The next work will be Jeroboam 9 s reformation, 
consecrating the meanest of the people to be 
priests in Israel , to serve those golden calves who 
have enriched themselves with the Churches 
patrimony and dowry ; which how it thrived both 
with prince, priests and people, is well enough 
known : and so it will be here, when from the 
tuition of kings and queens, which have beene 
nursing fathers and mothers of this Church, it 
shall be at their allowance, who have already 
discovered, what hard fathers and stepmothers 
they will be. 

If the poverty of Scotland might, yet the 
plenty of England cannot excuse the envy 


E1KL2N J3A2IA1KH. 


133 


and rapine of the Churches rights and reve- 
nues. 

I cannot so much as pray God to prevent those 
sad consequences, which will inevitably follow 
the parity and povertie of ministers, both in 
Church and State ; since I think it no lesse then 
a mocking and tempting of God, to desire him 
to hinder those mischiefs whose occasions and 
remedies are in our owne power, it being every 
mans sinne not to avoid the one, and not to use 
the other. 

There are waies enough to repaire the breaches 
of the State without the ruines of the Church ; 
as I would be a restorer of the one, so I would 
not be an oppressour of the other, under the pre¬ 
tence of publique debts: the occasions con¬ 
tracting them were bad enough, but such a dis¬ 
charging of them would be much worse ; I pray 
God neither I, nor Mine, may be necessary to 
either. 

To thee, O Lord , doe I addresse My prayer, be - 
seeching thee to pardon the rashnesse of My subjects 
swearings, and to quicken their sense and observation 
of those just, morall, and indispensable bonds, which 
thy word, and the lawes oj' this kingdome have laid 


134 


EIKQN BASIA1KH. 


upon their consciences; from which no pretensions of 
pietie and reformation are sufficient to absolve them, 
or to engage them to any contrary practises. 

Make them at length seriously to consider, that 
nothing violent and injurious can be religious. 

Thou allowest no mans committing sacriledge un¬ 
der the zeale of abhorring idols. 

Suffer not sacrilegious designes to have the coun¬ 
tenance of religious ties. 

Thou hast taught us by the wisest of kings, that 
it is a snare to take things that are holy, and after 
voices to make enquiry. 

Ever keep thy servant from consenting to perju¬ 
rious and sacrilegious rapines, that I may not have 
the brand and curse to all posterity of robbing thee 
and thy Church, of what thy bounty hath given us, 
and thy clemency hath accepted from us, wherewith 
to encourage learning and religion. 

Tho My treasures are exhausted, My revenues 
diminished, and My debts encreased, yet never suffer 
Me to be tempted to use such profane reparations ; 
lest a coal from thine altar set such afire on My 
throne and conscience as will be hardly quenched. 

Let not the debts and engagements of the publique, 
which some mens folly and prodigality hath con¬ 
tracted, be an occasion to impoverish thy Church . 


EIKGN BA2IAIKH. 


135 


The State may soon recover, by thy blessing of 
peace upon us; the Church is never likely, in times, 
where the charity of most men is growne so cold, and 
their religion so illeberalL 

Continue to those that serve thee and thy Church 
all those incouragements, ichich by the will of the 
pious (Honours, and the justice of the lawes are due 
unto them; and give them grace to deserve and use 
them aright to thy glory, arid the relief of thepoore; 
that thy priests may be cloathed with righteousnesse, 
and the poore may be satisfied, with bread. 

Let not holy things be given to swine; nor the 
Churches bread to dogs; rather let them go about 
the city, grin like a dog, arid grudge that they are not 
satisfied. 

Let those sacred morsels, which some men have 
already by violence devoured, never digest with them, 
nor theirs; let them be as Naboth’s vineyard to 
Ahab, gall in their mouths, rottennesse to their 
names, a moth to their families, and a sting to their 
consciences. 

Break in sunder, O Lord, all violent and sa¬ 
crilegious confederations, to doe wickedly and inju¬ 
riously. 

Divide their hearts and tongues who have bandyed 
together against the Church and State, that the 


136 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


folly of such may be manifest to all men, and proceed 
7io further. 

But so favour My righteous dealing, O Lord, 
that in the mercies of thee, the most high, I may 
never miscarry. 


EIKQN BA2IA1KH. 


137 


XV. UPON THE MANY JEALOUSIES RAISED, AND 

SCANDALS CAST UPON THE KING, TO STIRRE UP 

THE PEOPLE AGAINST HIM. 

I f I had not My owne innocency, and Gods pro¬ 
tection, it were hard for Me to stand out against 
those stratagems and conflicts of malice, which 
by falsities seek to oppresse the truth; and by 
jealousies to supply the defect of reall causes, 
which might seem to justifie so unjust engage¬ 
ments against Me. 

And indeed, the worst effects of open hostilitie 
come short of these designes : for, I can more 
willingly loose My crownes, then My credit; 
nor are My kingdomes so deare to Me, as My 
reputation and honour. 

Those must have a period with My life ; but 
these may survive to a glorious kind of immor¬ 
tality, when I am dead and gone : a good name 
being the embalming of princes, and a sweet 
consecrating of them to an eternity of love and 
gratitude among posterity. 

Those foule and false aspersions were secret 
engines at first employed against My peoples 
love of Me: that undermining their opinion and 
value of Me, My enemies, and theirs too, might 


138 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


at once blow up their affections, and batter down 
their loyalty. 

Wherein yet I thanke God, the detriment of 

My honour is not so afflictive to Me, as the 

\ 

sinne and danger of My peoples soules, whose 
eyes once blinded with such mists of suspicions, 
they are soone mis-led into the most desperate 
precipices of actions : wherein they doe not 
onely, not consider their sinne and danger, but 
glory in their zealous adventures; while I am 
rendred to them so fit to be destroyed, that many 
are ambitious to merit the name of My de¬ 
stroyers ; imagining they then feare God most, 
when they least honour their King. 

I thanke God, I never found but My pity was 
above My anger; nor have My passions ever so 
prevailed against Me, as to exclude My most 
compassionate prayers for them, whom devout 
errours more then their owne malice have be¬ 
trayed to a most religious rebellion. 

I had the charity to interpret, that most part 
of My subjects fought against My supposed 
errours, not My person; and intended to mend 
Me, not to end Me : and I hope that God par- 
doning their errours, hath so farre accepted and 
answered their good intentions, that as he hath 


E1KQN BA21A1KH. 


139 


yet preserved Me, so he hath by these afflictions 
prepared Me, both to doe him better service, 
and My people more good, then hitherto I have 
done. 

I doe not more willingly forgive their seduc¬ 
tions, which occasioned their loyall injuries, then 
I am ambitious by all princely merits to redeem 
them from their unjust suspicions, and reward 
them for their good intentions. 

I am too conscious to My owne affections to¬ 
ward the generality of My people, to suspect 
theirs to Me ; nor shall the malice of My enemies 
ever be able to deprive Me of the comfort, which 
that confidence gives Me; I shall never gratifie 
the spightfulnesse of a few with any sinister 
thoughts of all their allegiance, whom pious 
frauds have seduced. 

The worst some mens ambition can doe, shall 
never perswade Me, to make so bad interpreta¬ 
tions of most of My subjects actions ; who pos¬ 
sibly may be erroneous, but not heretical in point 
of loyaltie. 

The sense of the injuries done unto My sub¬ 
jects is as sharp, as those done to My selfe; our 
welfares being inseparable; in this onely they 
suffer more then My selfe, that they are ani- 


140 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


mated by some seducers to injure at once both 
themselves and Me. 

For this is not enough to the malice of My 
enemies, that I be afflicted; but it must be done 
by such instruments, that My afflictions grieve 
Me not more, then this doth, that I am afflicted 
by those, whose prosperity I earnestly desire, 
and whose seduction I heartily deplore. 

If they had been My open and forraigne ene¬ 
mies, I could have borne it; but they must be 
My owne subjects, who are, next to My chil¬ 
dren, dear to Me : and for the restoring of whose 
tranquillity, I could willingly be the Jonah ; if I 
did not evidently fore-see, that by the divided 
interests of their and Mine enemies, as by con¬ 
trary winds, the storm of their miseries would be 
rather encreased then allayed. 

I had rather prevent My peoples mine then 
rule over them; nor am I so ambitious of that 
dominion, which is but My right, as of their 
happinesse; if it could expiate or countervail 
such a way of obtaining it, by the highest in¬ 
juries of subjects committed against their sove- 
raign. 

Vet I had rather suffer all the miseries of life, 
and die many deaths, then shamefully to desert, 



EIK12N BASIAIKH. 


HI 


or dishonourably to betray My owne just rights 
and soveraignty; thereby to gratifie the ambi¬ 
tion, or justifie the malice of My enemies; be¬ 
tween whose malice, and other mens mistakes, 
I put as great a difference, as between an ordi¬ 
nary ague and the plague; or the itch of novelty, 

and the leprosie of disloyaltie. 

< 

As liars need have good memories, so malicious 
persons need good inventions; that their ca¬ 
lumnies may fit every mans fancy; and what 
their reproaches want of truth, they may make 
up with number and shew. 

My patience (I thank God) will better serve 
Me to beare, and My charity to forgive, then My 
leisure to answer the many false aspersions which 
some men have cast upon Me. 

Did I not more consider My subjects satisfac¬ 
tion, then My owne vindication ; I should never 
have given the malice of some men that plea¬ 
sure, as to see Me take notice of, or remember 
what they say, or object. 

I would leave the authors to be punished by 
their owne evill manners, and seared consciences, 
which will, I believe, in a shorter time then they 
be aware of, both confute and revenge all those 
black and false scandalls, which they have cast 


EIKQN BA SI AT KH. 


142 

on Me; and make the world see, there is as 
little truth in them, as there was little worth in 
the broaching of them, or civility, (I need not 
say loyalty) in the not suppressing of them; 
whose credit and reputation, even with the 
people, shall ere long be quite blasted by the 
breath of that same fornace of popular obloquy, 
and detraction, which they have studied to heat 
and inflame to the highest degree of infamy, and 
wherein they have sought to cast and consume 
My name and honour. 

First, nothing gave Me more cause to suspect, 
and search My owne innocency, then when I 
observed so many forward to engage against Me, 
who had made great professions of singular 
pietie: for this gave to vulgar minds so bad a 
reflection upon Me, and My cause, as if it had 
been impossible to adhere to Me, and not withall 
part from God; to think or speak well of Me, 
and not to blaspheme him; so many were per- 
swaded that these two were utterly inconsistent, 
to be at once loyall to Me, and truly religious 
toward God. 

Not but that I had (I thank God) many with 
Me, which were both learned and religious, 
(much above that ordinarie size, and that vulgar 


EIKQN UASfAIKH. 


143 

proportion, wherein some men glory so much) 
who were so well satisfied in the cause of My 
sufferings, that they chose rather to suffer with 
Me, then forsake Me. 

Nor is it strange that so religious pretensions 
as were used against Me, should be to many well- 
minded men a great temptation to oppose Me ; 
especially, being urged by such popular preachers, 
as think it no sinne to lie for God, and what 
they please to call Gods cause, cursing all that 
will not curse with them; looking so much at, 
and crying up the goodnesse of the end pro¬ 
pounded, that they consider not the lawfulnesse 
of the means used, nor the depth of the mischief, 
chiefly plotted and intended. 

The weakness of these mens judgements must 
be made up by their clamours and activity. 

It was a great part of some mens religion to 
scandalize Me and Mine; they thought theirs 
could not be true, if they cried not down Mine 
as false. 

I thank God, I have had more triall of his 
grace, as to the constancie of My religion in the 
Protestant profession of the Church of England , 
both abroad, and at home, then ever they are 
like to have. 


144 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


Nor doe I know any exception, I am so liable 
to, in their opinion, as too great a fixednesse in 
that religion, whose judicious and solid grounds, 
both from Scripture, and antiquity, will not give 
My conscience leave to approve or consent to 
those many dangerous and divided innovations, 
which the bold ignorance of some men would 
needs obtrude upon Me, and My people. 

Contrary to those well tried foundations both 
of truth, and order, which men of farre greater 
learning, and clearer zeale, have setled in the 
confession and constitution of this Church in 
England; which many former Parliaments in the 
most calme, and unpassionate times, have oft 
confirmed ; in which I shall ever, by Gods help, 
persevere, as believing it hath most of primitive 
truth and order. 

Nor did My using the assistance of some Pa¬ 
pists, which were My subjects, any way fight 
against My religion, as some men would needs 
interpretit: especially those who least of all men 
cared whom they imployed, or what they said, 
and did, so they might prevaile. 

Tis strange that so wise men, as they would 
be esteemed, should not conceive, that differences 
of perswasion in matters of religion may easily 


EIKQN IU2IAIKH. 


145 

fall out, where there is the samenesse of dutie, 
allegiance, and subjection. The first they owne 
as men, and Christians to God ; the second, they 
owe to Me in common, as their King ; different 
professions in point of religion cannot (any more 
then in civill trades) take away the communitie 
of relations either to parents, or to princes : and 
where is there such an Oglio or medley of va¬ 
rious religions in the world againe, as those men 
entertaine in their service (who find most fault 
with Me) without any scruple, as to the diversitie 
of their sects and opinions ? 

It was, indeed, a foule and indelible shame, 
for such as would be counted Protestants, to 
enforce Me, a declared Protestant, their Lord 
and King, to a necessary use of Papists, or any 
other, who did but their dutie to help Me to de¬ 
fend My selfe. 

. $ 

Nor did I more then is lawfull for any King, 

in such exigents, to use the aide of any his sub¬ 
jects. 

I am sorry the Papists should have a greater 
sense of their allegiance, then many Protestant 
professours; who seeme to have learned, and 
to practise the worst principles of the worst 
Papists. 

L 


TAKQS B4SIATKH. 


HG 

Indeed, it had been a very impertinent and 
unseasonable scruple in Me, (and very pleasing 
no doubt to Mv enemies) to have been then dis- 
puting the points of different beliefes in My sub¬ 
jects when I was disputed with by swords points : 
and when I needed the helpe of My subjects as 
men, no lesse then their prayers as Christians. 

The noise of My evil counsellours was another 
usefull device for those, who were impatient any 
mens counsells but their owne should be fol¬ 
lowed in Church and State ; who were so eager 
in giving Me better counsell that they would 
not give Me leave to take it with freedome, as a 
man; or honour, as a King; making their coun¬ 
sells more like a drench that must be pow 7 red 
downe, then a draught which might be fairly and 
leisurely dranke, if I liked it. 

I will not j astifie beyond humane errours and 
frailties My selfe, or My counsellours: they 
might be subject to some miscarriages, yet such 
as were farre more reparable by second and better 
thoughts, then those enormious extravagances, 
wherewith some men have now even weldred, and 
almost quite lost both Church and State. 

The event of things at last will make it evi¬ 
dent to My subjects, that had I followed the 


EIKQN BASIAIKH. 


1*17 


worst counsells, that My worst counsellours ever 
had the boldnesse to offer to Me, or My selfe 
any inclination to use ; I could not so soone 
have brought both Church and State in three 
flourishing kingdomes, to such a chaos of confu¬ 
sions, and hell of miseries, as some have done ; 
out cf which they cannot, or will not in the 
midst of their many great advantages, redeeme 
either Me, or My subjects. 

No men were more willing to complaine, then 
I was to redresse what I saw in reason was 
either done or advised amisse; and this I thought 
I had done, even beyond the expectation of mo¬ 
derate men: who were sorry to see Me prone 
even to injure My selfe, out of a zeale to relieve 
My subjects. 

But other mens insatiable desire of revenge 
upon Me, My court, and My clergie; hath 
wholly beguiled both Church and State, of the 
benefit of all My, either retractations, or con¬ 
cessions ; and withall, hath deprived all those 
(now so zealous persecutors) both of the comfort 
and reward of their former pretended persecu¬ 
tions, wherein they so much gloried among the 
vulgar; and which, indeed, a truly humble 
Christian will so highly prize, as rather not to 

l 2 



148 


EIKQN BA2IA1KH. 


be relieved, then be revenged, so as to be bereaved 
of that crowne of Christian patience, which at¬ 
tends humble and injured sufferers. 

Another artifice used to withdraw My peoples 
affections from Me, to their designes, was, the 
noise and ostentation of libertie, which men are 
not more prone to desire, then unapt to beare in 
the popular sense; which is to doe what every 
man liketh best. 

If the divinest libertie be to will what men 
should, and to doe what they so will, according 
to reason, lawes, and religion; I envie not My 
subjects that libertie, which is all I desire to en¬ 
joy My selfe; so farre am I from the desire of 
oppressing theirs : nor were those lords and gen¬ 
tlemen which assisted Me so prodigall of their li¬ 
berties, as with their lives and fortunes tohelpeon 
the enslaving of themselves and their posterities. 

As to civill immunities, none but such as de¬ 
sire to drive on their ambitious and covetous 
designes over the ruines of Church and State, 
prince, peeres, and people, will ever desire 
greater freedomes then the lawes allow ; whose 
bounds good men count their ornament and pro¬ 
tection ; others their manacles and oppression. 

Nor is it just any man should expect the re- 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


149 


ward and benefit of the lawe, who despiseth its 
rule and direction; losing justly his safety while 
he seeks an unreasonable liberty. 

Time will best informe My subjects, that those 
are the best preservers of their true liberties, 
who allow themselves the least licentiousnesse 
against, or beyond the lawes. 

They will feele it at last to their cost, that it 
is impossible those men should be really tender 
of their fellow-subjects liberties, who have the 
hardinesse to use their King with so severe re¬ 
straints ; against all lawes, both divine and hu¬ 
mane, under which, yet, I will rather perish, then 
complaine to those, who want nothing to com- 
pleat the mirth, and tryumph, but such musick. 

In point of true conscientious tendernesse 
(attended with humility and meeknesse, not with 
proud and arrogant activity, which seeks to 
hatch every egge of different opinion to a faction 
or schisme) I have oft declared how little I desire 
My lawes and scepter should intrench on Gods 
soveraignty, which is the onely King of mens 
consciences ; and yet he hath laid^such restraints 
upon Men, as commands them to be subject for 
conscience sake, giving no men liberty to breake 
the lawe established, further then with meeknesse 


EIKQN BA21AIKH. 


loO 

and patience, they are content to suffer the pe¬ 
nalties annexed, rather then perturb the publique 
peace. 

The truth is, some mens thirst after novelties, 
others despair to relieve the necessities of their 
fortunes, or satisfie their ambition, in peaceable 
times, (distrusting Gods providence, as well as 
their owne merits) were the secret (but principall) 
impulsives to these popular commotions, by which 
subjects have been perswaded to expend much 
of those plentifull estates they got, and enjoyed 
under My government, in peaceable times; which 
yet must now be blasted with all the odious re¬ 
proaches, which impotent malice can invent; 
and My selfe exposed to all those contempts, 
which may most diminish the majesty of a King, 
and encrease the ungratefull insolencies of My 
people. 

For Mine honour, I am well assured, that as 
Mine innocencie is cleare before God, in point 
of any calumnies they object, so My reputation 
shall like the sunne (after owles and bats have 
had their freedome in the night and darker times) 
rise and recover it selfe to such a degree of 
splendour, as those ferall birds shall be grieved 
to behold, and unable to bear. For never were 


EIKQN BASIA1KH. 


161 


any princes more glorious, then those whom God 
hath suffer’d to be tryed in the fornace of afflic¬ 
tions by their injurious subjects. 

And who knowes but the just and merciful! 
God will doe Me good, for some mens hard, 
false, and evill speeches against Me; wherein 
they speak rather what they wish, then what they 
believe, or know. 

Nor can I suffer so much in point of honour, 
by those rude and scandalous pamphlets (which 
like fire in great conflagrations, flie up and downe 
to set all places on like flames) then those men 
doe, who pretending to so much piety, are so 
forgetfull of their duty to God and Me : by no 
way ever vindicating the majesty of their King 
against any of those, who contrary to the pre¬ 
cept of God, and precedent of angells, speake 
evill of dignities, and bring rayling accusations 
against those, who are honoured with the name of 
Gods. 

But ’tis no wonder if men not fearing God, 
should not honour their King. 

They will easily contemne such shadowes of 
God, who reverence not that supreme, and ador¬ 
able Majesty, in comparison of whom all the 
glory of men and angels is but obscurity ; yet 


152 


E1KQN BA2IAIKH. 


hath he graven such characters of divine autho¬ 
rity, and sacred power upon Kings, as none may 
without sinne seek to blot them out. Nor shal 
their black veiles be able to hide the shining of 
My face, while God gives Me a heart frequently 
and humbly to converse with him, from whom 
alone are all the eradiations of true glory and 
majesty. 

Thou, O Lord, knowest My reproach, and My 
dishonour, My adversaries are all before thee. " 

My soule is among lyons, among them that are set 
on fire, even the sons of men; whose teeth are spears 
and arrowes; their tongue a sharp sword. 

Mine enemies reproach Me all the day long, and 
those that are mad against Me are sworne together. 

O My God, how long shall the sonnes of men turn 
My glory into shame ? How long shall they love 
vanity, and seeke after lies ? 

Thou hast heard the reproaches of wicked men on 
every side . Hold not thy peace, lest My enemies 
prevaile against Me, and lay Mine honour in the 
dust. 

Thou , O Lord , shall destroy them that speak lies: 
the Lord will abhorre both the bloud-thirsty, and 
deceitfull men. 


EIKQN BASIAIKH. 


153 


Make My righteousnesse to appeare as the light, 
and Mine innocency to shine forth as the sunne at 
noone day. 

Suffer not My silence to betray Mine innocence, 
nor My displeasure, My patience; that after My 
Saviour’s example, being reviled, I may not revile 
agaitie; and being cursed by them, I may blesse them. 

Thou that wouldst not suffer Shimei’s tongue to 
goe unpunished; when by thy judgements on David, 
he might seem to justifie his disdainfull reproaches, 
give Me grace to intercede with thy mercy for these 
My enemies , that the reward of false and lying 
tongues, even hot burning coales of eternallfire, may 
not be brought upon them. 

Let My prayers, and patience, be as water to 
coole and quench their tongues, who are already set 
on fire with the fire of Hell, and tormented with 
those malicious flames. 

Let Me be happy to refute, and put to silence their 
evi11-speaking by well doing ; and let them enjoy not 
the fruit of their lips, but of My prayer for their 
repentance, and thy pardon. 

Teach Me David’s patience and Hezekiah’s devo¬ 
tion, that I may look to thy mercy through mans 
malice, and see thy justice in their sinnc. 

Let Sheba’s seditious speeches, Rabshekah’s 


154 


EIKQN BA21A1KH. 


railing, and Shimei’s cursing, provoke, as My hum¬ 
ble prayer to thee, so thy renewed blessing toward Ale. 

Though they curse, doe thou blesse, and I shall be 
blessed; and made a blessing to Aly people. 

That the stone, which some builders refuse, may 
become the head-stone of the corner. 

Looke downe from Heaven, and save Ale, from the 
reproach of them that would swallow Me up. 

Hide Me in the secret of thy presence, from the 
pride of man, and keepe Me from the strife of 
tongues . 





EIKQN BAS1AIKH. 


155 


XVI. UPON THE ORDINANCE AGAINST THE COMMON- 

PRAYER-BOOKE. 

It is no news to have all innovations ushered in 
with the name of reformation in Church and 
State, by those, who seeking to gaine reputation 
with the vulgar for their extraordinary parts, and 
piety, must needs undoe whatever was formerly 
setled never so well and wisely. 

So hardly can the pride of those that study 
novelties, allow former times any share or degree 
of wisdome or godlinesse. 

And because matter of prayer and devotion to 
God j ustly beares a great part in religion, (being 
the soules more immediate converse with the 
Divine Majesty) nothing could be more plausible 
to the people then to tel them, they served God 
amisse in that point. 

Hence our publique Lyturgy, or formes of con¬ 
stant prayers must be (not amended, in what 
upon free and publique advice might seem to 
sober men inconvenient for matter or manner, to 
which I should easily consent, but) wholly 
cashiered, and abolished, and after many po¬ 
pular contempts offered to the booke, and those 
that used it according to their consciences, and 


156 


EIKGN BASIAIKH. 


the lawes in force, it must be crucified by an 
ordinance, the better to please either those men, 
who gloried in their extemporary veyne and 
fluency : or others, who conscious of their owne 
formality in the use of it, thought they fully ex¬ 
piated their sinne of not using it aright, by lay¬ 
ing all the blame upon it, and a total rejection 
of it as a dead letter, thereby to excuse the dead- 
nesse of their hearts. 

As for the matter contained in the booke, sober 
and learned men have sufficiently vindicated it 
against the cavils and exceptions of those, who 
thought it a part of piety to make what profane 
objections they could against it; especially for 
popery and superstition; whereas no doubt the 
Lyturgy was exactly conformed to the doctrine 
of the Church of England; and this by all re¬ 
formed Churches is confessed to be most sound 
and orthodox. 

For the manner of using set and prescribed 
formes, there is no doubt but that wholsome 
words being knowne and fitted to mens under¬ 
standings, are soonest received into their hearts, 
and aptest to excite and carry along with them 
judicious and fervent affections. 

Nor doe I see any reason why Christians 


EIKQN BASIAIKH. 


157 


should be weary of a well-composed Lyturgy (as 
I hold this to be) more then of all other things, 
wherein the constancy abates nothing of the ex¬ 
cellency and usefulnesse. 

I could never see any reason, why any Chris¬ 
tian should abhor, or be forbidden to use the 
same formes of prayer, since he praies to the 
same God, believes in the same Saviour, pro- 
fesseth the same truths, reades the same Scrip¬ 
tures, hath the same duties upon him, and feels 
the same dayly wants for the most part, both in¬ 
ward and outward, which are common to the 
whole Church. 

Sure we may as well before-hand know what 
we pray, as to whom we pray; and in what words, 
as to what sence; when we desire the same 
things, what hinders we may not use the same 
words? our appetite and digestion too maybe 
good when we use, as we pray for, our daily 
bread. 

Some men, I heare, are so impatient not to use 
in all their devotions their owne invention, and 
gifts, that they not onely disuse (as too many) 
but wholly cast away and contemn the Lords 
Prayer; whose great guilt is, that it is the war- 


EIKQN BAI’IAIKH. 


la 8 

rant and original! pattern of all set Lyturgies, in 
the Christian Church. 

I ever thought that the proud ostentation of 
mens abilities for invention, and the vaine affec¬ 
tations of variety for expressions, in publique 
prayer, or any sacred administrations, merits 
a greater brand of sinne, then that which they 
call coldnesse and barrennesse : nor are men in 
those novelties less subject to formall and su- 
perficiall tempers (as to their hearts) then in the 
use of constant formes, where not the words, but 
mens hearts are to blame. 

I make no doubt but a man may be very 
formall in the most extemporary varietie; and 
very fervently devout in the most wonted ex¬ 
pressions : nor is God more a God of varietie, 
then of constancie : nor are constant formes of 
prayers more likely to flat, and hinder the spirit 
of prayer, and devotion, then un-premeditated 
and confused varietie to distract, and lose it. 

Though I am not against a grave, modest, dis¬ 
creet, and humble use of ministers gifts, even in 
publique, the better to fit, and excite their owne, 
and the peoples affections to the present occa¬ 
sions ; yet I know no necessity why private and 


KIKQN BASIAIKH. 


159 

single abilities should quite justle out, and de¬ 
prive the Church of the joynt abilities and con¬ 
current gifts of many learned and godly men; 
such as the composers of the service-booke were; 
who may in all reason be thought to have more 
of gifts and graces enabling them to compose 
with serious deliberation and concurrent advise, 
such formes of prayers, as may best lit the 
Churches common wants, informe the hearers 
understanding, and stirre up that fiduciary and 
fervent application of their spirits (wherein con¬ 
sists the very life and soule of prayer, and that 
so much pretended spirit of prayer) then any pri¬ 
vate man by his solitarie abilities can be pre¬ 
sumed to have ; which, what they are many 
times (even there, where they make a great noise 
and shew) the affectations, emptinesse, imperti- 
nencie, rudenesse, confusions, flatnesse, levity, 
obscurity, vain, and ridiculous repetitions, the 
senseless, and oft-times blasphemous expres¬ 
sions ; all these burthened with a most tedious 
and intolerable length, doe sufficiently convince 
all men, but those who glory in that pharisaick 
way. 

Wherein men must be strangely impudent, and 
flatterers of themselves, not to have an infinite 


1 <>0 E1KQN BA5TAIKH. 

shame of what they so doe and say, in things ot 
so sacred a nature, before God and the Church, 
after so ridiculous, and indeed, profane a manner. 

Nor can it be expected, but that in duties of 
frequent performance, as sacramentall adminis¬ 
trations, and the like, which are still the same; 
ministers must either come to use their owne 
formes constantly, which are not like to be so 
sound, or comprehensive of the nature of the 
duty, as formes of publique composure ; or else 
they must every time affect new expressions when 
the subject is the same; which can hardly be 
presumed in any man’s greatest sufficiencies not 
to want (many times) much of that compleat- 
nesse, order, and gravitie, becomming those du¬ 
ties ; which by this meanes are exposed at every 
celebration to every ministers private infirmities, 
indispositions, errours, disorders, and defects, 
both for judgement and expression. 

A serious sense of which inconvenience in the 
Church unavoidably following every mans se- 
verall manner of officiating, no doubt, first oc¬ 
casioned the wisdome and pietie of the ancient 
Churches, to remedy those mischiefs, by the use 
of constant Lyturgies of publique composure. 

The want of which I believe this Church will 


ElKQN BA2IAIKH. 


161 


sufficiently feele, when the unhappy fruits of 

any mens ungoverned ignorance, and confident 
defects, shall be discovered in more errours, 
schismes, disorders, and uncharitable distrac¬ 
tions in religion, which are already but too many, 
the more the pittie. 

However, if violence must needs bring in, and 
abett those innovations, (that men may not seeme 
to have nothing to doe) which lawe, reason, and 
religion forbids, at least to be so obtruded, as 
wholly to justle out the publique Lyturgie. 

Yet nothing can excuse that most unjust and 
partial severitie of those men, who either lately 
had subscribed to, used and maintained the ser¬ 
vice-book ; or refusing to use it, cryed out of the 
rigour of lawes and bishops, which suffered them 
not to use the libertie of their consciences, in not 
using it. 

That these men (I say) should so suddenly 
change the Lyturgie into a Directory, as if the 
Spirit needed helpe for invention, though not for 
expressions ; or as if matter prescribed did not 
as much stint and obstruct the Spirit, as if it 
were cloathed in, and confined to, fit words : (so 
flight and easie is that legerdemain which will 
serve to delude the vulgar.) 

M 


102 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


That further, they should use such severitie as 
not to suffer without penaltie, any to use the 
Common-Prayer-Booke publiquely, although 
their consciences bind them to it, as a dutie of 
pietie to God, and obedience to the lawes. 

Thus I see, no men are prone to be greater 
tyrants, and more rigorous exacters upon others 
to conform to their illegall novelties, then such, 
whose pride was formerly least disposed to the 
obedience of lawfull constitutions; and whose 
licentious humours most pretended conscien¬ 
tious liberties, which freedome, with much regret 
they now allow to Me, and My chaplains, when 
they may have leave to serve. Me, whose abi¬ 
lities, even in their extemporarie way comes not 
short of the others, but their modestie and learn¬ 
ing farre exceeds the most of them. 

But this matter is of so popular a nature, as 
some men knew it would not beare learned and 
sober debates, lest being convinced by the evi¬ 
dence of reason, as well as lawes, they should 
have been driven either to sinne more against 
their knowledge, by taking away the Lyturgie; 
or to displease some faction of the people by 
continuing the use of it. 

Though I believe they have offended move 


EIKQN BASIAIKH. 


H>3 

considerable men, not onely for their numbers 
and estate, but for their weighty and judicious 
piety, then those are, whose weaknesse or giddi- 
nesse they sought to gratifie by taking it away. 

One of the greatest faults some men found 
with the Common-Prayer-Booke, I believe, was 
this, that it taught them to pray so oft for Me ; 
to which petitions they had not loyalty enough 
to say Amen, nor yet charity enough to forbeare 
reproaches, and even cursings of Me in their 
owne formes, instead of praying for Me. 

I wish their repentance may be their onely pu¬ 
nishment ; that seeing the mischiefes which the 
disuse of publique Lyturgies hath already pro¬ 
duced, they may restore that credit, use, and 
reverence to them, which by the ancient Churches 
were given to set formes of sound and wholsome 
words. 

And thou, O Lord, which art the same God, 
blessed for ever: whose mercies are full of variety , 
and yet of constancy; thou deniest us not a new and 
fresh sense of our old and daily wants; nor despisest 
renewed affections joyned to constant expressions . 

Let us not want the benefit of thy Churches united 
and wet-advised devotions. 

m 2 


164 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


Let the matters of our prayers be agreeable to thy 
will f which is alwaies the same, and the fervency of 
our spirits to the motions of thy Holy Spirit in us. 

And then we doubt not, but thy spirituall perfec¬ 
tions are such, as thou art neither to be pleased with 
affected novelties for matter or manner, nor offended 
with the pious constancy of our petitions in them both. 

Whose variety or constancy thou hast no where 
either forbidden or commanded, but left them to the 
piety and prudence of thy Church, that both may be 
used, neither despised. 

Keep men in that pious moderation of their judge¬ 
ments in matters of religion ; that their ignorance 
may not offend others, nor their opinion of their 
owne abilities tempt them to deprive others of what 
they may lawfully and devoutly use, to help their 
infirmities. 

And since the advantage of err our consists in no¬ 
velty and variety, as truths in unity and constancy: 
suffer not thy Church to be pestered witherrours, and 
deformed with undecencies in thy service, under the 
pretence of variety and novelty. Nor to be deprived 
of truth, unity, and order, under this fallacy, that 
constancy is the cause of formality. 

Lord keep usfrom formall hypocrisie in our owne 
hearts, and then we know that praying to thee, or 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


165 


praising of thee (with David, and other holy men) 
in the same formes cannot hurt us. 

Give us wisdome to amend what is amisse within 
us f and there will he lesse to amend without us. 

Evermore defend and deliver thy Church from the 
effects of blind zeale, and over-hold devotion. 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


IGti 

XVII. OF THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE KING AND 

THE TWO HOUSES, IN POINT OF CHURCH GOVERN¬ 
MENT. 

Touching the Government of the Church by 
bishops, the common jealousie hath been, that I 
am earnest and resolute to maintaine it, not so 
much out of piety, as policy and reason of State. 

Wherein so farre indeed reason of State doth 
induce Me to approve that government above 
any other, as I find it impossible for a prince to 
preserve the State in quiet, unlesse he hath such 
an influence upon Church-men ; and they such 
a dependence on him, as may best restraine the 
seditious exorbitances of ministers tongues ; 
who with the keyes of Heaven have so farre the 
keyes of the peoples hearts, as they prevaile 
much by their oratory to let in, or shut out, both 
peace and loyalty. 

So that, being (as King) intrusted by God, 
and the lawes, with the good both of Church 
and State; I see no reason I should give up, or 
weaken by any change, that power and influence 
which in right and reason I ought to have over 
both. 

The moving bishops out of the House of Peeres 


lilKQN BA2IAIKH. 


16? 


(of which 1 have elsewhere given an account) 
was sufficient to take off any suspicion, that I 
encline to them for any use to be made of their 
votes in State affaires : though indeed I never 
thought any bishop worthy to sit in that House, 
who would not vote according to his conscience. 

I must now in charity be thought desirous to 
preserve that government in its right constitu¬ 
tion, as a matter of religion; wherein both My 
judgement is fully satisfied, that it hath of all 
other the fullest Scripture grounds, and also the 
constant practise of all Christian Churches ; till 
of late yeares, the tumultuarinesse of people, or 
the factiousnesse and pride of Presbyters, or the 
covetousnesse of some states and princes, gave 
occasion to some mens wits to invent new models, 
and propose them under specious titles of Christs 
government , scepter, and kingdome; the better to 
serve their turnes, to whom the change was be- 
neficiall. 

They must give Me leave, having none of their 
temptations to invite Me to alter the government 
of bishops, (that I may have a title to their 
estates) not to believe their pretended grounds 
to any new waies : contrary to the full, and con¬ 
stant testimony of all histories, sufficiently con- 


168 


1SIKGN BA21AIKH. 


vincing unbiased men; that as the primitive 
churches were undoubtedly governed by the 
Apostles and their immediate successours the 
first and best bishops ; so it cannot in reason or 
charity be supposed, that all churches in the 
world should either be ignorant of the rule by 
them prescribed, or so soon deviate from their 
divine and holy patterne: that since the first age, 
for 1500 yeares not one example can be produced 
of any setled Church, wherein were many mi¬ 
nisters and congregations, which had not some 
bishop above them, under whose jurisdiction and 
government they were. 

Whose constant and universall practise agree¬ 
ing with so large, and evident Scripture direc¬ 
tions, and examples, as are set down in the 
Epistles to Timothy and Titus , for the setling of 
that government, not in the persons onely of 
Timothy and Titus , but in the succession; (the 
want of government being that, which the Church 
can no more dispence with, in point of wel-being 
then the want of the word and sacraments, in 
point of being.) 

I wonder how men came to looke with so en¬ 
vious an eye upon bishops power and authority, 
as to oversee both the ecclesiasticall use of them, 


E1KQN BA21A1KH. 


169 


and apostolicall constitution; which to Me 
seems no lesse evidently set forth as to the maine 
scope and designe of those Epistles, for the 
setting of a peculiar office, power, and authority 
in them as president-bishops above others, in 
point of ordination, censures, and other acts of 
ecclesiasticall discipline; then those shorter 
characters of the qualities and duties of Pres¬ 
byter-bishops, and deacons, are described in 
some parts of the same Epistles; who in the 
latitude and community of the name were then, 
and may now not improperly be called bishops; 
as to the over sight and care of single congrega¬ 
tions, committed to them by the Apostles, or 
other apostolicall bishops, who (as Timothy and 
Titus) succeeded them in that ordinary power, 
there assigned over large divisions, in which were 
many Presbyters. 

The humility of those first bishops avoiding 
the eminent title of Apostles, as a name in the 
Churches stile appropriated from its common 
notion (of a messenger , or one sent) to that special 
dignity which hath extraordinary call, mission, 
gifts, and power immediately from Christ: they 
contented themselves with the ordinary titles of 
bishops and presbyters, untill use, (the great 


170 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


arbitrator of words, and master of language) 
finding reason to distinguish by a peculiar name 
those persons, whose power and office were in¬ 
deed distinct from, and above all other in the 
Church, as succeeding the Apostles in the or¬ 
dinary and constant power of governing the 
Churches, (the honour of whose name they mo¬ 
destly, yet commendably declined) all Christian 
Churches (submitting to that speciall authority) 
appropriated also the name of bishop, without 
any suspicion or reproach of arrogancy, to those, 
who were by apostolicall propagation rightly 
descended and invested into that highest and 
largest power of governing even the most pure 
and primitive churches: which, without all doubt 
had many such holy bishops, after the pattern 
ol Timothy and Titus; whose speciall power is 
not more clearly set down in those Epistles (the 
chief grounds and limits of all episcopall claim, 
as from divine right) then are the characters of 
these perilous times, and those men that make 
them such; who not enduring sound doctrine, 
and cleare testimonies of all Churches practise, 
are most perverse disputers, and proud usurpers, 
against true episcopacy : who, if they be not 
traytours and boasters, yet they seem to be very 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


171 


covetous, heady, high-minded, inordinate and 
fierce, lovers of themselves, having much of the 
forme, little of the power of godlinesse. 

Who, by popular heaps of weak, light, and 
unlearned teachers, seek to overlay and smother 
the pregnancy and authority of that power of 
episcopall government, which, beyond all equi¬ 
vocation and vulgar fallacy of names, is most 
convincingly set forth, both by Scripture, and 
all after histories of the Church. 

This I write rather like a divine, than a prince, 
that posterity may see (if ever these papers be 
publique) that I had faire grounds both from 
Scripture-canons, and ecclesiasticall examples, 
whereon My judgement was stated for episcopall 
government. 

Nor was it any policy of State, or obstinacy 
of will, or partiality of affection, either to the 
men, or their function which fixed Me : who 
cannot in point of worldly respects be so consi¬ 
derable to Me as to recompence the injuries and 
losses I, and My dearest relations with My king- 
domes, have sustained, and hazarded, chiefly at 
first upon this quarrell. 

And not onely in religion, of which, Scripture 
is the best rule, and the Churches universall 


172 


EIKGN BA21AIKH. 


practice the best commentary, but also in right 
reason, and the true nature of government, it 
cannot be thought that an orderly subordination 
among presbyters, or ministers, should be any 
more against Christianity, then it is in all secular 
and civill governments, where parity breeds con¬ 
fusion and faction. 

I can no more believe, that such order is in¬ 
consistent with true religion, then good features 
are with beauty, or numbers with harmony. 

Nor is it likely that God, who appointed se- 
verall orders, and a prelacie, in the government 
of his Church, among the Jewish priests, should 
abhor or forbid them among Christian minis¬ 
ters ; who have as much of the principles of 
schisme and division as other men; for prevent¬ 
ing and suppressing of which, the apostolicall 
wisdome (which was divine) after that Christians 
were multiplied to many congregations, and 
presbyters with them, appointed this way of 
government, which might best preserve order 
and union with authority. 

So that I conceive it was not the favour of 
princes, or ambition of presbyters, but the wis¬ 
dome and piety of the Apostles, that first setled 
bishops in the Church; which authority they 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


173 


constantly used, and injoyed in those times, 
which were purest for religion, tho sharpest for 
persecution. 

Not that I am against the managing of this 
presidency and authority in one man, by the 
joynt counsell and consent of many presbyters : 
I have offered to restore that, as a fit means to 
avoyd those errours, corruptions, and partialities 
which are incident to any one man ; also to avoyd 
tyranny, which becomes no Christians, least of 
all Church-men ; besides, it will be a meanes to 
take away that burden, and odium of affairs, 
which may lie too heavy on one mans shoulders, 
as indeed I thinke it formerly did on the bishops 
here. 

Nor can I see what can be more agreeable 
both to reason and religion, then such a frame of 
government which is paternall, notmagisteriall; 
and wherein not onely the necessity of avoyding 
faction and confusion, emulations and con¬ 
tempts, which are prone to arise among equals 
in power and function ; but also the difference of 
some ministers gifts, and aptitudes for govern¬ 
ment above others, doth invite to imploy them, 
in reference to their abilities, wherein they are 
eminent. 


174 


FJKQN KA2IAIK1I. 


Nor is this judgement of Mine touching epis¬ 
copacy, any pre-occupation of opinion, which 
will not admit any oppositions against it: it is 
well knowne I have endeavoured to satisfie My 
selfe in what the chiefe patrons for other waies 
can say against this, or for theirs : and I finde 
they have, as farre lesse of Scripture grounds, 
and of reason ; so for examples, and practice of 
the Church, or testimonies of histories, they are 
wholly destitute wherein the whole stream runs 
so for episcopacy, that there is not the least 
rivulet for any others. 

As for those obtruded examples of some late 
reformed Churches, (for many retain bishops 
still) whom necessity of times and affaires rather 
excuseth, then commendeth for their incon¬ 
formity to all antiquity ; I could never see any 
reason why churches orderly reformed and go¬ 
verned by bishops should be forced to conforme 
to those few, rather then to the Catholicke ex¬ 
ample of all ancient churches, which needed no 
reformation: and those churches at this day, 
who governed by bishops in the Christian world, 
are many more then presbyterians or indepen¬ 
dents can pretend to be ; all whom the churches 
in My three kingdomes lately governed by 


EIKQN BASIAIKH. 


175 


bishops, would equalize (I think) if not ex¬ 
ceed. 

Nor is it any point of wisdome or charity, 
where Christians differ, (as many doe in some 
points) there to widen the differences, and at 
once to give all the Christian world (except a 
handfull of some Protestants) so great a scandall 
in point of Church-government; whom, tho you 
may convince of their errours in some points of 
doctrine, yet you shall never perswade them, 
that to compleat their reformation, they must ne¬ 
cessarily desert, and wholly cast off that govern¬ 
ment, which they, and all before them have ever 
owned as Catholick, primitive, and apostolicall : 
so farre, that never schismaticks, nor hereticks, 
(except those Aerians) have strayed from the 
unity, and conformity of the Church in that 
point; ever having bishops above presbyters. 

Besides, the late generall approbation and 
submission to this government of bishops, by 
the clergy, as well as the laity of these king- 
domes, is a great confirmation of My judgement; 
and their inconstancy is a great prejudice against 
their novelty ; I cannot in charity so farre doubt 
of their learning or integrity, as if they under¬ 
stood not what heretofore they did or that they 


170 


EIKQN BA21AIKH. 


did confirm contrary to their consciences; so 
that their facility and levity is never to be ex¬ 
cused, who, before ever the point of Church-go¬ 
vernment had any free and impartiall debate, 
contrary to their former oathes and practice, 
against their obedience to the lawes in force, and 
against My consent, have not onely quite cried 
down the government by bishops; but have ap¬ 
proved and incouraged the violent and most 
illegall stripping all the bishops, and many other 
Churchmen, of all their due authority and re¬ 
venues, even to the selling away, and utter ali¬ 
enation of those Church-lands from any eccle- 
siasticall uses : so great a power hath the stream 
of times, and the prevalency of parties over some 
mens judgements ; of whose so sudden and so 
totall change, little reason can be given, besides 
the Scots army comming into England . 

But the folly of these men will at last punish 
it selfe, and the desertors of episcopacy will ap- 
peare the greatest enemies to, and betrayers of 
their owne interest: for presbytery is never so 
considerable or effectuall, as when it is joyned 
to, and crowned with episcopacy. All ministers 
will find as great a difference in point of thriving, 
between the favour of the people, and of princes, 


EIKQN BASfAIKH. 


17? 


as plants doe between being watered by hand, or 
by the sweet and liberall dews of Heaven, 

The tenuity and contempt of clergy-men will 
soone let them see, what a poore carcasse they 
are, when parted from the influence of that head, 
to whose supremacy they have been sworne. 

A little moderation might have prevented great 
mischiefs; I am firme to primitive episcopacy, 
not to have it extirpated, (if I can hinder it.) 
Discretion without passion might easily reforme, 
whatever the rust of times, or indulgence of 
lawes, or corruption of manners have brought 
upon it. It being a grosse vulgar errour to im¬ 
pute to, or revenge upon the function, the faults 
of times, or persons ; which seditious and po¬ 
pular principle and practise, all wise men ab- 
horre. 

For those secular additaments and ornaments 
of authority, civill honour and estate, which My 
predecessours, and Christian princes in all coun¬ 
tries have annexed to bishops and Church-men; 
I look upon them, but as just rewards of their 
learning, and pietie, who are fit to be in any de¬ 
cree of Church-government; also enablements 
to works of charity, and hospitality, meet 

N 


178 


EIKQN BAS IA IK II. 


strengthenings of their authority in point of 
respect, and observance; which in peacefull 
times is hardly payed to any governours by the 
measure of their vertues, so much, as by that of 
their estates; poverty and meannesse exposing 
them and their authority to the contempt of li¬ 
centious minds, and manners, which persecuting 
times much restrained. 

I would have such men bishops, as are most 
worthy of those incouragements, and best able 
to use them : if at any time My judgement of 
men failed My good intention made My errour 
veniall: and some bishops, I am sure, I had, 
whose learning, gravity, and pietie, no men of 
any worth or forehead can deny: but, of all men, 
I would have Church-men, especially the go¬ 
vernors to be redeemed from that vulgar neglect; 
which (besides an innate principle of vitious 
opposition, which is in all men against those 
that seem to reprove, or restraine them) will ne¬ 
cessarily follow both the Presbyterian parity, 
which makes all ministers equall: and the inde¬ 
pendent inferiority, which sets their pastors below 
the people. 

This for My judgement touching episcopacy, 


E1KQN BAStAlKH. 


179 


wherein (God knowes) 1 doe not gratifie any 
designe or passion with the least perverting of 
truth. 

And now I appeale to God above, and all the 
Christian world, whether it be just for subjects, 
or pious for Christians, by violence, and infinite 
indignities, with servile restraints to seek to 
force Me their King and soveraigne, as some 
men have endeavoured to doe, against all these 
grounds of My judgement, to consent to their 
weak and divided novelties. 

The greatest pretender of them desires not 
more then I doe, that the Church should be go¬ 
verned, as Christ hath appointed, in true reason, 
and in Scripture; of which, I could never see 
any probable shew for any other waies: who 
either content themselves with the examples of 
some Churches in their infancy and solitude, 
when one presbyter might serve one congrega¬ 
tion in the city or country; or else they deny 
these most evident truths, that the Apostles were 
bishops over those presbyters they ordained, as 
well aS over the Churches they planted ; and that, 
government being necessary for the Churches 
wel being, when multiplied and sociated, must 
also necessarily descend from the Apostles to 

n 2 


180 


EIKGN BA2IAIK.H. 


others, after the example of that power and su¬ 
periority, they had above others; which could 
not end with their persons ; since the use and 
ends of such government still continue. 

It is most sure, that the purest primitive and 
best Churches flourished under episcopacy ; and 
may so still, if ignorance, superstition, avarice, 
revenge, and other disorderly and disloyall pas¬ 
sions had not so blown up some mens minds 
against it, that what they want of reason or pri¬ 
mitive paternes, they supply with violence and 
oppression ; wherein some mens zeale for bishops 
lands, houses, and revenues hath set them on 
worke to eate up episcopacy: which (however 
other men esteem) to Me is no lesse sinne, then 
sacriledge ; or a robbery of God (the giver of all 
we have) of that portion which devout minds 
have thankfully given againe to him, in giving 
it to his Church and prophets ; through whose 
hands he graciously accepts even a cup of cold 
water, as a libation offered to himselfe. 

Furthermore, as to My particular engagement 
above other men, by an oath agreeable to My 
judgement, I am solemnly obliged to preserve 
that government, and the rights of the Church. 

Were I convinced of the unlawfulnesse of the 


EIKQN BASIA1KH. 


181 


function, as antichristian, (which some men 
boldly, but weakly calumniate) I could soone, 
with judgement, break that oath, which erro¬ 
neously was taken by Me. 

But being daily by the best disquisition of 
truth, more confirmed in the reason and religion 
of that to which I am sworn; how can any man 
that wisheth not My damnation, perswade Me 
at once to so notorious and combined sinnes, of 
sacriledge and perjury? besides the many per- 
sonall injustices I must doe to many worthy 
men, who are as legally invested in their estates, 
as any, who seek to deprive them: and they have 
by no lawe, been convicted of those crimes, which 
might forfeit their estates and lively-hoods. 

I have oft wondered how men pretending to 
tendernesse of conscience, and reformation, can 
at once tell Me, that My coronation oath binds 
Me to consent to whatsoever they shall propound 
to Me, (which they urge with such violence) tho 
contrary to all that rationall and religious free- 
dome which every man ought to preserve ; and 
of which they seem so tender of their owne yotes; 
yet at the same time these men will needs per¬ 
swade Me that I must, and ought to dispence 
with, and roundly break that part of My oath. 


182 


EIK12N BASIAIKH. 


which binds Me (agreeable to the best light of 
reason and religion I have) to maintain the go¬ 
vernment, and legall rights of the Church. ’Tis 
strange My oath should be valid in that part, 
which both My selfe, and all men in their owne 
case, esteem injurious and unreasonable, as being 
against the very naturalland essentiall liberty of 
our soules; yet it should be invalid, ai^d to be 
broken in another clause, wherein I think My 
selfe justly obliged, both to God and man. 

Yet upon this rack chiefly have I been held 
so long, by some mens ambitious covetousnesse, 
and sacrilegious cruelty ; torturing (with Me) 
both Church and State, in civill dissentions ; 
till I shall be forced to consent, and declare that 
I doe approve, what (God knowes) I utterly dis¬ 
like, and in My soule abhor; as many waies 
highly against reason, justice, and religion : and 
whereto, if I should shamefully, and dishonour¬ 
ably give My consent; yet should I not by so 
doing, satisfie the divided interests and opinions 
of those parties, which contend with each other, 
as well as both against Me and episcopacy. 

Nor can My late condescending to the Scots 
in point of Church-government, be rightly ob¬ 
jected against Me, as an inducement for Me, to 


E1KQN BA2IAIKH. 


183 


consent to the like in My other kingdomes; for 
it should be considered that episcopacy was not 
so rooted and setled there, as ’tis here ; nor I (in 
that respect) so strictly bound to continue it in 
that kingdome as in this; for what I think in 
My judgement best, I may not think so abso¬ 
lutely necessary for all places, and at all times. 

If any shall impute My yeelding to them, as 
My failing and sinne, I can easily acknowledge 
it; but that is no argument to doe so again, or 
much worse; I being now more convinced in 
that point: nor indeed hath My yeelding to them 
been so happy and successefull as to incourage 
Me to grant the like to others. 

Did I see any thing more of Christ, as to meek- 
nesse, justice, order, charity, and loyalty in those 
that pretend to other modes of government, I 
might suspect My judgement to be biassed, or 
fore-stalled with some prejudice and wontednesse 
of opinion ; but I have hitherto so much cause 
to suspect the contrary in the manners of many 
of those men, that 1 cannot from them gaine the 
least reputation for their new waies of govern¬ 
ment. 

Nor can I find that in any reformed Churches 
(whose paternes are so cryed up, and obtruded 


184 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


upon the Churches under My dominion) that 
either learning, or religion, workes of pietie or 
charity, have so flourished beyond what they 
have done in My kingdomes (by Gods blessing) 
which might make Me believe either presbytery 
or independency have a more benigne influence 
upon the Church and mens hearts and lives, then 
episcopacy in its right constitution. 

The abuses of which, deserve to be extirpated, 
as much as the use retained ; for I thinke it farre 
better to hold to primitive and uniforme anti¬ 
quity, then to comply with divided novelty. 

A right episcopacy would at once satisfie all 
just desires and interest of good bishops, humble 
presbyterers, and sober people; so as Church 
affaires should be mannaged neither with ty¬ 
ranny, parity, nor popularity ; neither bishops 
ejected, nor presbyters despised, nor people op¬ 
pressed. 

And in this integrity both of My judgement 
and conscience, I hope God will preserve Me. 

For thou , O Lord, knowest My uprightnesse , and 
tendernesse, as tliou hast set Me to he a defender of the 
faith , and a protector of thy Church, so suffer Me not 
by any violence , to be overborn against My conscience. 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


185 


Arise, 0 Lord, maintaine thine owne cause, let not 
thy Church be deformed, as to that government, which 
derived from thy Apostles, hath been retained in 
purest and primitive times, till the revenues of the 
Church became the object of secular envy; which 
seeks to rob it of all the incouragements of learning 
and religion. 

Make Me, as the good Samaritan, compassionate, 
and helpfull to thy afflicted Church ; which some men 
have wounded and robbed; others passe by without 
regard, either to pitty, or relieve. 

As My power is from thee, so give Me grace to 
use it for thee. 

And tho I am not suffered to be master of My other 
rights as a King , yet preserve Me in that liberty of 
reason, love of religion, and thy Churches welfare, 
which are fixed in My conscience as a Christian. 

Preserve, from sacrilegious invasions, those tem- 
porall blessings, which thy providence hath bestowed 
on thy Church for thy glory. 

Forgive their sinnes and errours,who have deserved 
thy just permission, thus to let in the wilde boare, 
and subtill foxes, to wast and deforme thy vineyard, 
which thy right hand hath planted, and the dew of 
Heaven so long watered to a happy and flourishing 
estate. 


S86 


EIKQN BA2IA1KH. 


O let Me not beare the infamous brand to all pos¬ 
terity of being the first Christian King in this 
kingdome, who should consent to the oppression of thy 
Church, and the fathers of it; whose errours I would 
lather , with Constantine, cover with silence, and 
reforme with meeknesse, then expose their persons, 
and sacred functions, to vulgar contempt. 

• Thou, O Lord, seest how much I have suffered 
with, and for thy Church ; make no long tarrying, 
O My God, to deliver both Me, and it,from unrea¬ 
sonable men; whose counsels have brought forth, and 
continue such violent confusions, by a precipitant de¬ 
stroying the ancient boundaries of thy Churches 
peace ; thereby letting in all manner of errours, 
schismes, and disorders. 

O thou God, of order, and of truth, in thy good 
time, abate the malice, aswage the rage, and confound 
all the mischievous devices of thine, Mine, and thy 
Churches enemies. 

That I, and all that love thy Church, may sing 
praises to thee, and ever magnifie thy salvation, even 
before the sonnes of men. 


E1K12N BA21A1KH. 


187 


XVIII. UPON UXBRIDGE-TREATY AND OTHER OFFERS 

MADE BY THE KING. 

- v 

I look upon the way of treaties, as a retiring 
from fighting like beasts, to arguing like men; 
whose strength should be more in their under¬ 
standings, then in their limbs. 

And tho I could seldome get opportunities to 
treat, yet I never wanted either desire or dispo¬ 
sition to it; having greater confidence of My 
reason, then My sword : I was so wholly resolved 
to yeeld to the first, that I thought neither My 
selfe, nor others, should need to use the second, 
if once we rightly understood each other. 

Nor did I ever think it a diminution of Me, to 
prevent them with expresses of My desires, and 
even importunities to treat: it being an office, 
not onely of humanity, rather to use reason, then 
force; but also of Christianity to seek peace and 
ensue it. 

As I was very unwillingly compelled to defend 
My selfe with armes, so I very willingly embraced 
any thing tending to peace. 

The events of all warre by the sword being 
very dubious, and of a civill warre uncomfort- 


188 


EIKflN BA2IAIKH. 


able; the end hardly recompencing, and late re¬ 
pairing the mischiefe of the means. 

Nor did any successe I had ever enhance with 
Me the price of peace, as earnestly desired by 
Me as any man; tho I was like to pay dearer 
for it then any man : all that I sought to reserve 
was, Mine honour, and My conscience : the one 
I could not part with as a King, the other as a 
Christian. 

The treaty at Uxbridge gave the fairest hopes 
of an happy composure ; had others applied 
themselves to it with the same moderation, as I 
did, I am confident the warre had then ended. 

I was willing to condescend, as farre as reason, 
honour, and conscience, would give Me leave ; 
nor were the remaining differences so essential to 
My peoples happinesse ; or of such consequence, 
as in the least kind to have hindred My subjects 
either security, or prosperity; for they better 
enjoyned both, many years, before ever those 
demands were made, some of which, to deny, I 
think the greatest justice to My selfe, and favour 
to My subjects. 

I see, jealousies are not so easily allayed, as 
they are raised : some men are more afraid to re- 


EIKQN BA2IAIKIL 


189 


treat from violent engagements, then to engage : 
what is wanting in equity, must be made up in 
pertinacy. Such as had little to enjoy in peace, 
or to lose in warre, studied to render the very 
name of peace odious and suspected. 

In Church affaires, where I had least liberty 
of prudence, having so many strict ties of con¬ 
science upon Me ; yet I was walling to conde¬ 
scend so farre to the setling of them, as might 
have given fair satisfaction to all men, whom 
faction, covetousnesse, or superstition had not 
engaged more, then any true zeale, charity, or 
love of reformation. 

I was content to yeeld to all that might seem 
to advance true piety ; I onely sought to con¬ 
tinue what was necessary in point of order, main¬ 
tenance, and authority to the Churches govern¬ 
ment ; and what I am perswaded (as I have else¬ 
where set down My thoughts more fully) is most 
agreeable to the true principles of all govern¬ 
ment, raised to its full stature and perfection, as 
also to the primitive apostolicall paterne, and 
the practise of the Universall Church conforme 
thereto. 

From which wholly to recede, without any pro¬ 
bable reason urged or answered, onely to satisfie 


190 


EIK3N B A 21A I K 11. 


some mens wills and fantasies (which yet agree 
not among themselves in any point, but that of 
extirpating episcopacy, fighting against Me) 
must needs argue such a softnesse, and infirmity 
of mind in Me, as will rather part with Gods 
truth, then mans peace, and rather lose the 
Churches honour, then crosse some mens factious 
humours. 

God knows, and time will discover, who were 
most to blame for the unsuccessfulnesse of that 
treaty, and who must bear the guilt of after ca¬ 
lamities. I believe, I am very excusable both 
before God, and all unpassionate men, who have 
seriously weighed those transactions, wherein 
I endeavoured no lesse the restauration of peace 
to My people, then the preservation of My owne 
crowns to My posterity. 

Some men have that height, as to interpret all 
faire condescendings, as arguments of feeble- 
nesse, and glory most in an unflexible stifnesse, 
when they see others most supple and inclinable 
to them. 

A grand maxime with them was alwaies to 
aske something, which in reason and honour 
must be denied, that they might have some colour 
to refuse all that w r as in other things granted ; 


EIKQN BA2IATKH. 


X91 


setting peace at as high a rate, as the worst 
effects of warre ; endeavouring first to make Me 
destroy My selfe by dishonourable concessions, 
that so they might have the lesse to doe. 

This was all which that treaty, or any other 
produced, to let the world see, how little I would 
deny, or they grant, in order to the publique peace. 

That it gave occasion to some mens further 
restivenesse, is imputable to their owne depraved 
tempers, not to any concessions or negations of 
Mine : I have alwaies the content of what I 
offered, and they the regret, and blame, for what 
they refused. 

The highest tide of successe set Me not above 
a treaty, nor the lowest ebbe below a fight: tho 
I never thought it any signe of true valour, to 
be prodigall of mens lives, rather then to be 
drawn to produce our owne reasons, or subscribe 
to other mens. 

That which made Me for the most part presage 
the unsuccessfulnesse of any treaty, was, some 
mens unwillingnesse to treat: which implied 
some things were to be gained by the sword, 
whose unreasonablenesse they were loath to 
have fairly scanned, being more proper to be 
acted by souldiers, then by counsellours. 


192 


E1KQN BA SI AIK H. 


I pray God forgive them that were guilty of 
that treaties breaking; and give them grace to 
make their advantages gotten by the sword a 
better opportunity to use such moderation, as 
was then wanting, that so tho peace were for 
our sinnes justly deferred, yet at last it may be 
happily obtain’d ; what we could not get by our 
treaties, we may gaine by our prayers. 

O thou, that art the God of reason, and of peace , 
who disdainest not to treat with sinners, preventing 
them with offers of attornment, and beseeching them 
to be reconciled with thy selfe: who wantest not 
power, or justice, to destroy them ; yet aboundest in 
mercy to save : soften our hearts by the blond of our 
Redeemer, and perswade us to accept of peace ivith 
thy selfe, and both to procure and preserve peace 
among our selves, as men and Christians, hoiu oft 
have I intreated for peace, but when I speak thereof, 
they make them ready to warre. 

Condemne us not to our passions, which are de¬ 
structive, both of our selves , and of others, 

Cleare up our understandings, to see thy truth, 
both in reason, as men; and in religion, as Chris¬ 
tians : and encline all our hearts to hold the unity of 

7 

the Spirit, in the bond of peace. 


EIKQN BA2IA1KH. 


193 


Take from us that enmity which is now in our 
hearts against thee: and give us that charity which 
should he among our selves. 

Remove the evils of warre we have deserved, and 
bestow upon us that peace, which onely Christ our 
great peace maker can merit ♦ 


o 


m 


EIKQN BASIAIKH. 


XIX. UPON THE VARIOUS EVENTS OF THE WARRE, 
VICTORIES, AND DEFEATS. 

The various successes of this unhappy warre, 
have at least, afforded Me variety of good medi¬ 
tations : sometimes God was pleased to try Me 
with victory, by worsting My enemies, that I 
might know how with moderation and thanks to 
owne, and use his power, who is onely the true 
Lord of Hosts; able when he pleases to represse 
the confidence of those, that fought against Me, 
with so great advantages for power and number. 

From small beginnings on My part he let Me 
see that I was not wholly forsaken by My peo¬ 
ples love, or his protection. 

Other times God was pleased to exercise My 
patience, and teach Me not to trust in the arme 
of flesh, but in the living God. 

My sinnes sometimes prevailed against the 
justice of My cause; and those that were with 
Me wanted not matter and occasion for his just 
chastisement both of them, and Me: nor were 
My enemies lesse punished by that prosperity, 
which hardened them to continue that injustice 
by open hostility, which was began by most 
riotous and unparliamentary tumults. 


EIKQN BASIAIKH. 


li>5 

There is no doubt but personall and private 
sinnes may oft-times over-balance the justice of 
publique engagements; nor doth God account 
every gallant man (in the worlds esteeme) a fit 
instrument to assert in the way of warre a righte¬ 
ous cause; the more men are prone to arrogate 
to their owne skill, valour and strength, the lesse 
doth God ordinarily work by them for his owne 
o'lorv. 

<~D * 

I am sure the event or successe can never state 
the justice of any cause, nor the peace of mens 
consciences, nor the eternal! fate of their soules. 

Those with Me had (I thinke) clearly and un¬ 
doubtedly for their justification the Word of 
God, and the lawes of the land, together with 
their owne oaths; all requiring obedience to My 
just commands ; but to none other under Heaven 
without Me, or against Me, in the point of rais¬ 
ing armies. 

Those on the other side are forced to flie to the 
shifts of some pretended feares, and wild funda¬ 
mentals of State (as they call them) which ac¬ 
tually overthrow the present fabrick, both of 
Church and State ; being such imaginary reasons 
for self-defence as are most impertinent for those 
men to alledge, who being My subjects, were 

o 2 


19« 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


manifestly the first assaulters of Me and the 
lavves : first by unsuppressed tumults, after by 
listed forces : the same allegations they use, will 
fit any faction that hath but power and confi¬ 
dence enough to second with the sword, all their 
demands against the present lawes and go- 
vernours ; which can never be such as some side 
or other will not find fault with, so as to urge 
what they call a reformation of them to a rebel¬ 
lion against them, some parasitick preachers 
have dared to call those martyrs, who dyed fight¬ 
ing against Me, the lawes, their oathes, and the 
religion established. 

But sober Christians know, that glorious title, 
can with truth be applied only to those, who sin¬ 
cerely preferred Gods truth, and their duty in all 
these.particulars before their lives, and all that 
was dear to them in this world; who having no 
advantageous designes by any innovation, were 
religiously sensible of those ties to God, the 
Church, and My selfe, which lay upon their 
soules, both for obedience and just assistance. 

God could, and I doubt not but he did through 
his mercy, crown many of them with eternall 
life, whose lives were lost in so just a cause ; the 


E1KQN BA2IA1KH. 


197 


destruction of their bodies being sanctified, as a 
means to save their soules. 

Their wounds, and temporall mine serving as a 
gracious opportunity for their eternall health and 
happinesse ; while the evident approach of death 
did, through Gods grace, effectually dispose their 
hearts to such humility, faith, and repentance, 
which together with the rectitude of their pre¬ 
sent engagement, would fully prepare them for 
a better life then that, which their enemies 
brutish and disloyall fiercenesse could deprive 
them of; or without repentance hope to enjoy. 

They have often indeed, had the better against 
My side in the field, but never, I believe, at the 
barre of Gods tribunall, or their owne consci¬ 
ences ; where they are more afraid to encounter 
those many pregnant reasons, both from lawe, 
allegiance, and all true Christian grounds, which 
conflict with, and accuse them in their owne 
thoughts, then they oft were in a desperate 
bravery to fight against those forces, which some¬ 
times God gave Me. 

Whose condition conquered and dying I make 
no question but is infinitely more to be chosen 
by a sober man, (that duely values his duty, his 


198 


EIKQN BA2IAIK1I. 


soule, and eternity, beyond the enjoyments oi 
this present life) then the most triumphant glory, 
wherein their and Mine enemies supervive ; who 
can hardly avoid to be daily tormented by that 
horrid guilt, wherewith their suspicious, or now 
convicted consciences doe pursue them, espe¬ 
cially since they and all the world have seen, 
how false and un-intended those pretensions 
were, which they first set forth, as the onely 
plausible (tho not justifiable) grounds of raising 
a warre, and continuing it thus long against Me, 
and the lawes established ; in whose safety and 
preservation all honest men think the welfare of 
their countrey doth consist. 

For, and with all which, it is farre more ho¬ 
nourable and comfortable to suffer, then to pros¬ 
per in their ruine and subversion. 

I have often prayed, that all on My side might 
joyn true piety with the sense of their loyalty; 
and be as faithfull to God and their owne soules, 
as they were to Me. That the defects of the 
one might not blast the endeavours of the 
other. 

Yet I cannot think, that any shews, or truth 
of piety on the other side were sufficient to dis¬ 
pense with, or expiate the defects of their duty 


El KA2N BA2IA1KH. 


199- 


and loyalty to Me, which have so pregnant con¬ 
victions oil mens consciences, that even profaner 
men are moved by the sense of them to venture 
their lives for Me. 

I never had any victory which was without My 
sorrow, because it was on Mine owne subjects, 
who, like Absolom , died many of them in their 
sinne : and yet I never suffered any defeat, which 
made Me despaire of Gods mercy and defence. 

I never desired such victories, as might serve 
to conquer, but onely restore the lawes and 
liberties of My people; which I saw were ex- 
treamly oppressed, together with My rights by 
those men, who were impatient of any just re¬ 
straint. 

When providence gave Me, or denied Me vic¬ 
tory, My desire was neither to boast of My 
power, nor to charge God foolishly; who I be¬ 
lieved at last would make all things to work to¬ 
gether for My good. 

I wished no greater advantages by the warre, 
then to bring My enemies to moderation, and 
My friends to peace. 

I was afraid of the temptation of an absolute 
conquest, and never prayed more for victory over 
others, then over My selfe. When the first was 


200 


EIKQN BAIIA1KII. 


denied, the second was granted Me, which God 
saw best for Me. 

The different events were but the methods of 
divine justice, by contrary winds to winow T us : 
that, by punishing our sinnes, he might purge 
them from us; and by deferring peace, he might 
prepare us more to prize, and better to use so 
great a blessing. 

My often messages for peace shewed that I 
delighted not in warre; as My former conces¬ 
sions sufficiently testified, how willingly I would 
have prevented it; and My totall unprepared- 
nesse for it, how little I intended it. 

The conscience of My innocency forbade Me 
to feare a warre, but the love of My kingdomes 
commanded Me (if possible) to avoid it. 

I am guilty in this warre of nothing but this, 
that I gave such advantages to some men, by 
confirming their power, which they knew not to 
use with that modesty and gratitude which be¬ 
came their loyalty and My confidence. 

Had I yielded lesse, I had been opposed lesse; 
had I denied more, I had been more obeyed. 

Tis now too late to review the occasions of 
the warre ; I wish onely a happy conclusion, of 
so unhappy beginnings: the unevitable fate of 


E1KQN BA2IA1KH. 


201 


our sinnes was (no doubt) such, as would no 
longer suffer the divine justice to be quiet: we 
having conquered his patience, are condemned by 
mutuall conquerings, to destroy one another: 
for, the most prosperous successes on either side, 
impaire the welfare of the whole. 

Those victories are still miserable, that leave 
our sinnes unsubdued ; flushing our pride, and 
animating to continue injuries. 

Peace it selfe is not desirable, till repentance 
have prepared us for it. 

When we fight more against our selves, and 
lesse against God, we shall cease fighting against 
one another; I pray God these may all meet in 
our hearts, and so dispose us to an happy con¬ 
clusion of these civill warres; that I may know 
better to obey God, and govern My people, 
and they may learn better to obey both God 
and Me. 

Nor doe I desire any man should be further 
subject to Me, than all of us may be subject to 
God. 

O My God , make Me content to be overcome , 
when thou wilt have it so. 

Teach Me the noblest victory over My selfe, and 


E1KQN BASIAIKH. 


202 

My enemies by patience; which was Christs con¬ 
quest, and may well become a Christian King. 

Between both thy hands, the right sometimes sup¬ 
porting, and the left afflicting; fashion us to that 
frame of piety thou likest best . 

Forgive the pride that attends our prosperous, and 
the repinings which follow our disastrous events; 
when going forth in our owne strength thou with- 
drawest thine , and goest not forth with our armies. 

Be thou all, when we are something, and when we 
are nothing; that thou mayst have the glory, when 
we are in a victorious , or inglorious condition. 

Thou, 0 Lord, knowest, how hard it is for Me to 
suffer so much evill from My subjects, to whom 1 
intend nothing but good; and I cannot bui suffer in 
those evils which they compell Me to inflict upon 
them; punishing My selfe in their punishments. 

Since therefore both in conquering, and being con¬ 
quered, 1 am still a sufferer: I beseech thee to give 
Me a double portion of thy Spirit, and that measure 
of grace, lohich onely can be sufficient for Me. 

As I am most afflicted, so make Me most reformed, 
that I may be not onely happy to see an end of these 
civill distractions, but a chief instrument to restore 
and establish a Jirme and blessed peace to My king- 
domes. 


EIKQN BASIA1KH. 


‘203 


Stir up in all parties pious ambitions to overcome 
each other ivith reason, moderation, and such self - 
deniall, as becomes those, who consider, that our mu - 
tuall divisions are our common distractions, and the 
union of all is every good mans chief est interest. 

If, O Lord, as for the sinnes of our peace, thou 
hast brought upon us the miseries of warre; so for 
the sinnes of warre thou shouldst see fit still to deny 
us the blessing of peace, and so to keep us in a circu¬ 
lation of miseries; yet give Me thy servant, and all 
loyall, tho afflicted subjects, to enjoy that peace 
which the world can neither give to us, nor take 
from us. 

Impute not to Me the bloud of My subjects, which 
with infinite unwillingnesse and griefe hath been shed 
by Me in My just and necessary defence, but ivash 
Me icith that pretious bloud which hath been shed 
for Me by My great Peace-maker Jesus Christ: 
ivho will, I trust, redeem Me shortly out oj all My 
troubles : for, I knoio the triumphing of the wicked 
is but short, and the joy of hypocrites is but for a 


moment. 


201 


E1KQN BA2IAIKH. 


XX. UPON THE REFORMATIONS OF THE TIMES. 

No glory is more to be envied then that of due 
reforming either Church or State, when de¬ 
formities are such, that the perturbation and 
novelty are not like to exceed the benefit of re¬ 
forming. 

Altho God should not honour Me so farre, as 
to make Me an instrument of so good a worke, 
yet I should be glad to see it done. 

As I was well pleased with this Parliaments 
first intentions to reform what the indulgence of 
times, and corruption of manners might have 
depraved; so I am sorry to see after the free- 
dome of Parliament was by factious tumults op¬ 
pressed, how little regard was had to the good 
lawes established, and the religion setled; which 
ought to be the first rule and standard of reform¬ 
ing : with how much partiality and popular com¬ 
pliance the passions and opinions of men have 
been gratified to the detriment of the publique, 
and the infinite scandall of the reformed reli¬ 
gion. 

What dissolutions of all order and govern¬ 
ment in the Church, what novelties of schismes 
and corrupt opinions, what undecencies and 


ETKQN BA2IAIKH. 


20o 


confusions in sacred administrations, what sa~ 
crilegious invasions upon the rights and revenues 
of the Church, what contempt and oppressions 
of the clergy, what injurious diminutions and 
persecutings of Me have followed (as showres 
doe warm gleames) the talk of reformation, all 
sober men are witnesses and (with My selfe) sad 
spectators hitherto. 

The great miscarriage I think is, that popular 
clamours and fury have been allowed the reputa¬ 
tion of zeale and the publique sense, so that 
the study to please some parties hath indeed in¬ 
jured all. 

Freedome, moderation, and impartiality are 
sure the best tempers of reforming councels and 
endeavours: what is acted by factions cannot 
but offend more then it pleaseth. 

I have offered to put all differences in Church 
affaires and religion to the free consultation of a 
synod or convocation rightly chosen ; the results 
of whose councels as they would have included 
the votes of all, so its like they would have given 
most satisfaction to all. 

The assembly of divines, whom the two Houses 
have applyed (in an unwonted way) to advise of 
Church affaires, I dislike not further, then that 


EIKGN BA2IAIKH. 


20<» 

they are not legally convened and chosen ; nor 
act in the name of all the clergy of England , nor 
with freedome and impartiality can doe any 
thing, being limited and confined, if not over¬ 
awed, to doe and declare what they doe. 

For I cannot think so many men cryed up for 
learning and piety, who formerly allowed the 
Lyturgie and government of the Church of Eng¬ 
land, as to the maine, would have so suddenly 
agreed quite to abolish both of them, (the last of 
which, they knew to be of apostolicall institu¬ 
tion, at least; as of primitive and universall 
practise) if they had been left to the liberty of 
their owne suffrages, and if the influence of con¬ 
trary factions had not by secret encroachments 
of hopes, and feares, prevailed upon them, to 
comply with so great and dangerous innovations 
in the Church ; without any regard to their owne 
former judgement and practice, or to the com¬ 
mon interest and honour of all the clergy, and in 
them of order, learning, and religion against ex¬ 
amples of all ancient Churches; the lawes in 
force, and My consent; which is never to be 
gained, against so pregnant light as in that point 
shines on My understanding. 

For I conceive, that where the Scripture is not 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


207 


so cleave and punctual 1 in precepts, there the 
constant and universal1 practice of the Church, 
in things not contrary to reason, faith, good 
manners, or any positive command, is the best 
rule that Christians can follow. 

I was willing to grant or restore to presbytery 
what with reason or discretion it can pretend to, 
in a conjuncture with episcopacy; but for that 
wholly to invade the power, and by the sword to 
arrogate and quite abrogate the authority of that 
ancient order, I think neither just as to episco¬ 
pacy, nor safe for presbytery, nor yet any way 
convenient for this Church or State. 

A due reformation had easily followed mo¬ 
derate councels, and such (I believe) as would 
have given more content even to the most of 
those divines who have been led on with much 
gravity and formality, to carry on other mens 
designes; which no doubt many of them by this 
time discover, tho they dare not but smother 
their frustrations and discontents. 

The specious and popular titles, of Christ’s go¬ 
vernment, throne, scepter, and kingdome, (which 
certainly is not divided, nor hath two faces, as 
their parties now have, at least) also the noise 
of a thorough reformation, these may as easily 


208 


EIKQN BASfAIKH. 


be fixed on new models, as fair colours may be 
put to ill-favoured figures. 

The breaking of Church-windowes, which time 
had sufficiently defaced; pulling downe of crosses, 
which were but civill, not religious marks; de¬ 
facing of the monuments and inscriptions of the 
dead, which served but to put posterity in mind 
to thank God for that clearer light wherein they 
live: the leaving of all ministers to their li¬ 
berties and private abilities in the'publique ser- 
vice of God, where no Christian can tell to what 
he may say Amen; nor what adventure he may 
make of seeming (at least) to consent to the 
errours, blasphemies, and ridiculous undecencies, 
which bold and ignorant men list to vent in their 
prayers, preaching, and other offices. The setting 
forth also of old catechismes and confessions of 
faith new drest, importing as much as if there 
had been no sound or cleare doctrine of faith in 
this Church before some foure or five yeares 
consultation had matured their thoughts, touch¬ 
ing their first principles of religion. 

All these, and the like, are the effects of po¬ 
pular, specious, and deceitfull reformations,(that 
they might not seem to have nothing to doe) and 
may give some short flashes of content to the 


E1KQN BAS1AIKH. 


1209 


vulgar, (who are taken with novelties, as children 
with babies, very much, but not very long.) But 
all this amounts not to, nor can in justice merit 
the glory of the Churches thorow reformation; 
since they leave all things more deformed, dis¬ 
orderly, and discontented, then when they began, 
in point of piety, morality, charity, and good 
order. 

Nor can they easily recompense or remedy the 
inconveniences and mischiefs, which they have 
purchased so dearly, and which have, and ever 
will necessarily ensue, till due remedies be ap¬ 
plied. 

I wish they would at last, make it their una¬ 
nimous work to doe Gods work, and not their 
owne : had religion been first considered (as it 
merited) much trouble might have been pre¬ 
vented. 

But some men thought that the government 
of this Church and State, fixed by so many lawes 

l 

and long customes, would not run into their new 
moulds, till they had first melted it in the fire of 
a civill warre ; by the advantages of which they 
resolved, if they prevailed, to make My selfe and 
all My subjects fall down and worship the images 
they should form and set up : if there had been 

p 


210 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


as much of Christs Spirit, for meeknesse, wis- 
dome, and charity, in mens hearts, as there was 
of his name used in the pretensions, to reform 
all to Christs rule, it would certainly have ob¬ 
tained more of Gods blessing, and produced 
more of Christs glory, the Churches good, the 
honour of religion, and the unity of Christians. 

Publique reformers had need first act in pri¬ 
vate, and practise that on their owne hearts which 
they purpose to trie on others; for deformities 
within will soon betray the pretenders of pub¬ 
lique reformations to such private designes as 
must needs hinder the publique good. 

I am sure the right methods of reforming the 
Church cannot consist with that of perturbing 
the civill State, nor can religion be justly ad¬ 
vanced by depressing loyalty, which is one of 
the chiefest ingredients and ornaments of true 
religion, for next to feare God, is, honour the 
King. 

I doubt not but Christs kingdome may be set 
up without pulling down Mine, nor will any men 
in impartial times appear good Christians that 
* approve not themselves good subjects. 

Christs government will confirme Mine, not 
overthrow it, since as I owne Mine from Him, so 


EIKi2N BA2IA1KH. 


211 

I desire to rule for His glory, and His Churches 
good. 

Had some men truly intended Christs go¬ 
vernment, or knew what it meant in their hearts, 
they could never have been so ill governed in 
their words and actions both against Me and 
one another. 

As good ends cannot justifie evil means, so 
nor will evil beginnings ever bring forth good 
conclusions, unlesse God, by a miracle of mercy 
create light out of darknesse, order out of our 
confusions, and peace out of our passions. 

Thou, O Lord, who onely canst give us beauty 
for ashes, and truth for hypocrisie ; suffer us not to 
be miserably deluded with pharisaicall washings, 
instead of Christian reformings . 

Our greatest deformities are within , make us the 
severest censurers, and first reformers of our owne 
soules. 

That ice may in clearnesse of judgement, and up - 
rightnesse of heart be meancs to reforme what is in - 
deed amisse in Church and State. 

Create in us cleane hearts, O Lord, and renew 

* 

right spirits within us; that we may doe all by thy 
directions , to thy glory, and with thy blessing . 

p 2 




212 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


Pity the deformities , which some rash and cruell 
reformers have brought upon this Church and State: 
quench the fires which factions have kindled, under 
the pretence of reforming. 

.4s thou hast shewed the world by their divisions 
and confusions what is the pravity of some mens in¬ 
tentions and weaknesse of their judgements, so bring 
us at last more refined out of these fires by the methods 
of Christian and charitable reformations; wherein 
nothing of ambition, revenge, covetousnesse, or sacri- 
ledge, may have any influence upon their councels, 
whom thy providence in just and lawfull waies shall 
entrust with so great, good, and now most necessary 
worke: that I and My people may be so blest with 
inward piety, as may best teach us how to use the 
blessing of outward peace* 


EIKQN BAST AIK H. 


213 


XXI. UPON HIS MAJESTIES LETTERS TAKEN AND 

DIVULGED. 

The taking of My letters was an opportunity, 
which, as the malice of Mine enemies could 
hardly have expected ; so they knew not how 
with honour and civility to use it: nor doe I 
think with sober and worthy minds any thing in 
them, could tend so much to My reproach, as the 
odious divulging of them did to the infamy of 
the divulgers: the greatest experiments of vertue 
and noblenesse being discovered in the greatest 
advantages against an enemy, and the greatest 
obligations being those, which are put upon us 
by them, from whom we could least have ex¬ 
pected them. 

And such I should have esteemed the conceal¬ 
ing of My papers ; the freedome and secresie of 
which, commands a civility from all men, not 
wholly barbarous ; nor is there any thing more 
inhumane then to expose them to publique 
view. 

Yet since Providence will have it so, I am 
content so much of My heart (which I study to 
approve to Gods omniscience) should be disco¬ 
vered to the world, without any of those dresses 


‘214 


FJKQN BaSIAIKH. 


or popular captations which some men use in 
their speeches and expresses, I wish My sub¬ 
jects had yet a clearer sight into My most retired 
thoughts: 

Where they might discover how they are di¬ 
vided between the love and care I have, not 
more to preserve My owne rights, then to pro¬ 
cure their peace and happinesse, and that ex- 
treame grief to see them both deceived and de¬ 
stroyed. 

Nor can any mens malice be gratified further 
by My letters then to see My constancy to My 
wife, the lawes, and religion. Bees will gather 
honey where the spider sucks poison. 

That I endeavour to avoid the pressures of My 
enemies by all faire and just correspondencies, 
no man can blame who loves Me or the Common¬ 
wealth, since My subjects can hardly be happy 
if I be miserable, or enjoy their peace and li¬ 
berties while I am oppressed. 

The world may see how soon mens designes, 
like Absoloms, is by enormous actions to widen 
differences, and exasperate all sides to such 
distances, as may make all reconciliation des¬ 
perate. 

Yet I thank God I can not onely with patience 


EIKQN BASfAIKH. 


215 


bear this, as other indignities, but with charity 
forgive them. 

The integrity of My intentions is not jealous 
of any injury, My expressions can doe them, for 
although the confidence of privacy may admit 
greater freedome in writing such letters, which 
may be liable to envious exceptions ; yet the in- 
nocency of My chief purposes cannot be so ob¬ 
tained, or mis-interpreted by them, as not to let 
all men see, that I wish nothing more then an 
happy composure of differences with justice and 
honour, not more to My owne, then My peoples 
content, who have any sparks of love or loyalty 
left in them : who, by those My letters may be 
convinced, that I can both mind and act My 
owne, and My kingdomes affaires, so as becomes 
a prince ; which Mine enemies have alwaies been 
very loath should be believed of Me, as if I were 
wholly confined to the dictates and directions of 
others ; whom they please to brand with the 
names of evill eounsellours. 

Its probable some men will now look upon Me 
as My owne councellour, and having none else 
to quarrell with under that notion, they will 
hereafter confine their anger to My selfe; al¬ 
though I know they are very unwilling I should 


216 


EIK12N BA2IAIICH. 


enjoy the liberty of My owne thoughts, or follow 
the light of My owne conscience, which they 
labour to bring into an absolute captivity to 
themselves; not allowing Me to think their 
counsels to be other then good for Me, which 
have so long maintained a warre against Me. 

The victory they obtained that'day, when My 
letters became their prize, had been enough to 
have satiated the most ambitious thirst of po¬ 
pular glory among the vulgar; with whom pros¬ 
perity gaines the greatest esteem and applause ; 
as adversity exposeth to their greatest slighting 
and dis-respect: as if good fortune were alwaies 
the shadow of vertue and justice, and did not 
oftner attend vitious and injurious actions, as to 
this world. 

But I see no secular advantages seem sufficient 
to that cause, which began with tumults, and 
depends chiefly upon the reputation with the 
vulgar. 

They thinke no victories so effectual! to their 
designes as those, that most rout and waste My 
credit with My people; in whose hearts they 
seek by all meanes to smother arid extinguish all 
sparks of love, respect and loyalty to Me, that 
they may never kindle again, so as to recover 


ETKQN BASIAIKH. 


217 


Mine, the lavves, and the kingdomes liberties, 
which some men seek to overthrow : the taking 
away of My credit is but a necessary prepara¬ 
tion to the taking away of My life, and My king- 
domes ; first I must seem neither fit to live, nor 
worthy to reigne ; by exquisite methods of cun¬ 
ning and cruelty, I must be compelled, first to 
follow the funeralls of My honour, and then be 
destroyed : but I know Gods un-erring and im- 
partiall justice can, and will over-rule the most 
perverse wills and designes of men; He is able, 
and (I hope) will turn even the worst of Mine 
enemies thoughts and actions to My good. 

Nor doe I think, that by the surprize of My 
letters, I have lost any more then so many pa¬ 
pers : how much they have lost of that reputa¬ 
tion, for civility and humanity (which ought to 
be pay’d to all men, and most becomes such as 
pretend to religion) besides that of respect and 
honour, which they owe to their Ki?ig, present, 
and after-times will judge. And I cannot think 
that their owne consciences are so stupid, as not 
to inflict upon them some secret impressions of 
that shame and dishonour, which attends all un¬ 
worthy actions, have they never so much of pub- 
lique flattery, and popular countenance. 


218 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


I am sure they can never expect the divine 
approbation of such indecent actions, if they 
doe but remember how God blest the modest 
respect and filial tendernesse which Noahs sons 
bare to their father; nor did his open infirmity 
justifie Chams impudency, or exempt him from 
that curse of being servant of servants; which 
curse must needs be on them who seek by dis¬ 
honourable actions to please the vulgar, and con- 
firme by ignoble acts their dependance upon the 
people. 

Nor can their malitious intentions be ever 
either excusable, or prosperous, who thought, 
by this means, to expose Me to the highest re¬ 
proach and contempt of My people; forgetting 
that duty of modest concealment, which they 
owed to the father of their country, in case they 
had discovered any real uncomeliness ; which, I 
thank God, they did not; who can, and, I believe, 
hath made Me more respected in the hearts of 
many (as he did David) to whom they thought, 
by publishing My private letters, to have rendred 
Me as a vile person , not fit to be trusted or con¬ 
sidered, under any notion of majesty. 

But thou , O Lord , whose wise and all-disposing 


EIKQN EASIAIKH. 


219 


providence, ordereth the greatest contingencies of hu¬ 
mane affaires ; make Me to see the constancy of thy 
mercies to Me, in the greatest advantages thou 
seeniest to give the malice of My enemies against Me, 
As thou didst blast the counsel of Achitophel, 
turning it to Davids good, and his owne ruine: so 
const thou defeat their designe, who intended by pub¬ 
lishing My private letters, nothing else, but to render 
Me more odious and contemptible to My people, 

I must first appeale to thy Omniscience, who const 
witnesse ivith My integrity, how unjust and false 
those scandalous misconstructions are, which My ene¬ 
mies endeavour by those papers of Mine to represent 
to the world. 

Make the evill they imagined, and displeasure they 
bit ended thereby against Ale, so to returne on their 
owne heads, that they may be ashamed, and covered 
ivith their owne confusion, as with a cloake. 

Thou seest how Aline enemies use all meanes to 
cloud Aline honour, to pei'vert Aly purposes, and to 
slander the footsteps of thine anointed. 

But give Ale an heart content to be dishonoured 
for thy sake, and thy Churches good. 

Fix in Me a purpose to honour thee, and then I 
know thou wilt honour Me, either by restoring to Me 
the enjoyment of that power and majesty, which thou 


220 


EIKQN BASTAIKH. 


hast suffered some men to seek to deprive Me of; or 
hy bestowing on Me that crowne of Christian pa¬ 
tience, which knows how to serve thee in honour, or 
dishonour, in good report or evill. 

Thou, O Lord, ai't thefountaine of goodnesse and 
honour; thou art cloathed with excellent majesty; 
make Me to partake of thy excellency for wisdome, 
justice, and mercy, and 1 shall not want that degree 
of honour, and majesty , which becomes the place in 
which thou hast set Me; who art the If ter up of 
My head, and My salvation . 

Lord, by thy grace, lead Me to thy glory, which 
is both true and eternall. 


E1KS.2N BA21A1KH. 


221 


XXII. UPON HIS MAJESTIES LEAVING OXFORD, AND 
GOING TO THE SCOTS. 

Although God hath given Me three king- 
domes, yet in these He hath not now left Me 
any place, where I may with safety and honour 
rest My head : shewing Me that himselfe is the 
safest refuge, and the strongest tower of de¬ 
fence, in which I may put My trust. 

In these extremities I looke not to man so 
much as to God : He will have it thus; that I 
may wholly cast My selfe, and My now distressed 
affaires upon His mercy, who hath both hearts 
and hands of all men in his dispose. 

What Providence denies to force, it may grant 
to prudence : necessity is now My counsellour, 
and commands Me to study My safety by a dis¬ 
guised withdrawing from My chiefest strength, 
and adventuring upon their loyalty, who first 
began My troubles. Haply God may make them 
a meanes honourably to compose them. 

This My confidence of them, may dis-arme 
and overcome them : My rendring My person 
to them may engage their affections to Me, who 
have oft professed, they fought not against Me, 
but for Me. 


222 EIKQN BA2IA1KH. 

I must now resolve the riddle of their loyalty : 
and give them opportunity to let the world see, 
they meane not what they doe, but what they say. 

Yet must God be My chiefest guard ; and My 
conscience both My counsellour and My com¬ 
forter : tho I put My body into their hands, yet 
I shall reserve My soule to God, and My selfe ; 
nor shall any necessities compell Me to desert 
Mine honour, or swerve from My judgement. 

What they sought to take by force, shall now 
be given them in such a way of unusuall confi¬ 
dence of them, as may make them ashamed not 
to be really such, as they ought, and professed 
to be. 

God sees it not enough to deprive Me of all 
military power to defend My selfe; but to put 
Me upon using their power, who seem to fight 
against Me, yet ought in duty to defend Me. 

So various are all humane affaires, and so ne¬ 
cessitous may the state of princes be, that their 
greatest danger may be in their supposed safety, 
and their safety in their supposed danger. 

I must now leave those that have adhered to 
Me, and apply to those that have opposed Me; 
this method of peace may be more prosperous 
then that of warre, both to stop the effusion of 


EIKUN BASIAIKH. 


223 


bloud, and to close those wounds already made: 
and in it I am no lesse solicitous for My friends 
safety, then Mine owne ; chusing to venture My 
selfe upon further hazards, rather then expose 
their resolute loyalty to all extremities. 

It is some skill in play to know when a game 
is lost; better fairly to give over, then to contest 
in vain. 

I must now study to re-inforce My judgement, 
and fortifie My mind with reason and religion; 
that I may not seem to offer up My soules li¬ 
berty, or make My conscience their captive ; who 
ought at first to have used arguments, not armes, 
to have perswaded My consent to their new de¬ 
mands. 

I thank God no successe, darkens or disguises 
truth to Me; and I shall no lesse conforme My 
words to My inward dictates now, then if they 
had been, as the words of a King ought to be 
among all loyal subjects,/)*// of power. 

Reason is the divinest power. I shall never 
think My selfe weakened while I may make full 
and free use of that. No eclypse of outward for¬ 
tune shall rob Me of that light; what God hath 
denied of outward strength, his grace, I hope, 
will supply with inward resolutions ; not mo- 


224 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


rosely to deny, what is fit to be granted ; but not 
to grant any thing, which reason and religion 
bids Me deny. 

I shall never think My selfe lesse then My 
selfe while I am able thus to preserve the in¬ 
tegrity of My conscience, the onely jewell now 
left Me, which is worth keeping. 

O thou Soveraigne of our soules, the onely com¬ 
mander of our consciences ; tho I know not what to 
doe, yet Mine eyes are toward thee ; to the protec¬ 
tion of thy mercy I still commend My selfe. 

.As thou hast preserved Me in the day of battaile, 
so thou const still shew Me thy strength in My weak- 
tiesse. 

Be thou unto Me in My darkest night, a pillar of 
fire, to enlighten and direct Me ; in the day of My 
hottest affliction, be also a pillar of cloud to over¬ 
shadow' and protect Me; be to Me both a sunne and 
a shield. 

Thou knowest, that it is not any perversnesse of 
will, but just perswasions of honour, reason , and re¬ 
ligion, which have made Me thus Jarre to hazard 
My person, peace, and safety, against those, that bif 
force have sought to wrest them from Me. 

Suffer not My just resolutions to abate with My 


EIKQN BASJAIKH. 


225 


outwardforces; let a good conscience alwaies ac¬ 
company Me , in My solitude and desertions. 

Suffer Me not to betray the powers of reason, and 
that fortresse of My soule, which I am intrusted to 
keep for thee. 

Lead Me in the paths of thy righteousnesse, and 
shew Me thy salvation . 

Make My waies to please thee, and then thou wilt 
make Mine enemies to be at peace with Me. 


EIKS2N BA2IAIKH. 


22f> 


XXIII. UPON THE SCOTS DELIVERING THE KING TO 
THE ENGLISH; AND HIS CAPTIVITY AT HOLDENBY. 

Yet may I justifie those Scots to all the world 
in this, that they have not deceived Me ; for I 
never trusted to them further, then to men; if I 
am sold by them, I am onely sorry they should 
doe it; and that My price should be so much 
above My Saviours. 

These are but further essayes, which God will 
have Me make of mans uncertainty, the more to 
fix Me on himselfe ; who never faileth them that 
trust in him ; tho the reeds of Egypt break under 
the hand of him that leans on them: yet the 
rock of Israel will be an everlasting stay and 
defence. 

Gods providence commands Me to retire from 
all to himselfe, that in him I may enjoy My 
selfe, which I lose, while I let out My hopes to 
others. 

The solitude and captivity, to which I am now 
reduced, gives Me leisure enough to study the 
worlds vanity, and inconstancy. 

God sees ’tis fit to deprive Me of wife, chil¬ 
dren, army, friends, and freedome, that I may be 
wholly His, who alone is all. 


RIKQN BA SI AIK IT. 


227 


1 care not much to be reckoned among the un¬ 
fortunate, if I be not in the black list of irreli¬ 
gious, and sacrilegious princes. 

No restraint shall ensnare My soule in sinne; 
nor gain that of Me, which may make My ene¬ 
mies more insolent, My friends ashamed, or My 
name accursed. 

They have no great cause to triumph, that they 
have got My person into their power; since My 
soule is still My owne : nor shall they ever gaine 
My consent against My conscience. 

What they call obstinacy, I know God ac¬ 
counts honest constancy, from which reason and 
religion, as well as honour, forbid Me to re¬ 
cede. 

’Tis evident now, that it was not evill coun¬ 
sellors with Me, but a good conscience in Me, 
which hath been fought against; nor did they 
ever intend to bring Me to My Parliament, till 
they had brought My mind to their obedience. 

Should I grant what some men desire, I should 
be such as they wish Me ; not more a King, and 
farre lesse both man and Christian. 

What tumults and armies could not obtaine, 
neither shall restraint; which tho it have as 

q 2 


228 


EIKQN BADl AIRH. 


little of safety to a prince, yet it hath not more 
of danger. 

The feare of men shall never be My snare ; nor 
shall the love of any liberty entangle My soule: 
better others betray Me, then My selfe : and 
that the price of My liberty should be My con¬ 
science ; the greatest injuries My enemies seek 
to inflict upon Me, cannot be without My owne 
consent. 

While I can deny with reason, 1 shall defeat 
the greatest impressions of their malice, who 
neither know how to use worthily, what I have 
already granted; nor what to require more of 
Me but this, that I would seem willing to helpe 
them to destroy My selfe and Mine. 

Although they should destroy Me, yet they 
shall have no cause to despise Me. 

Neither liberty nor life are so deare to Me, as 
the peace of My conscience, the honour of My 
crownes, and the welfare of My people; which 
My word may injure more then any warre can 
doe; while I gratifie a few to oppresse all. 

The lawes will, by Gods blessing, revive, with 
the love and loyalty of My subjects ; if I bury 
them not by My consent, and cover them in that 


E1KQN BA21AIKH. 


229 


grave of dishonour, and injustice, which some 
mens violence hath digged for them. 

If My captivity or death must be the price of 
their redemption, I grudge not to pay it. 

No condition can make a King miserable, 
which carries not with it, his soules, his peoples, 
and posterities thraldome. 

After-times may see, what the blindnesse of 
this age will not; and God may at length shew 
My subjects, that I chuse rather to suffer for 
them, then with them; haply I might redeem 
My selfe to some shew of liberty, if I would 
consent to enslave them : I had rather hazard the 
ruine of one King, then confirme many tyrants 
over them ; from whom I pray God deliver them, 
whatever becomes of Me, whose solitude hath 
not left Me alone. 

For thou, O God , infinitely good, and great, art 
with Me, whose presence is better then life; and 
ivhose service is perfect freedome. 

Otvne Me for thy servant, and 1 shall never have 
cause to complainefor want of that liberty, which 
becomes a man, a Christian, and a King. 

Blesse Me still with reason, as a man; with ten- 



230 


E1K12N BASIAIK11. 


gion, as a Christian; and with constancy in justice, 
as a King. 

Tho thou sufferest Me to be stript of all outward 
ornaments, yet preserve Me ever in those enjoyments, 
wherein I may enjoy thy-selfe; and which cannot be 
taken from Me against My will. 

Let no fire of affliction boyle over My passion to 
any impatience, or sordid feares. 

There be many say of Me, there is no help for 
Me: doe thou lift up the light of thy countenance 
upon Me, and I shall never want safety, liberty, nor 
majesty. 

Give Me that measure of patience and constancy, 
which My condition now requires. 

My strength is scattered, My expectation from 
men defeated, My person restrained: O be not thou 
farre from Me, lest My enemies prevaile too much 
against Me. 

I am become a wonder , and a scorne to many : O 
be thou My helper and defender. 

Shew some token upon Me for good, that they 
that hate Me may be ashamed, because thou Lord 
hast holden and comforted Me: establish Me with 
thy free spirit, that I may doe, and suffer thy will, 
as thou wouldst have Me. 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


231 


Be mercifull to Me, O Lord, for My soule 
trusteth in thee: yea, and in the shadow of thy 
wings will I make My refuge untill these calamities 
he overpast. 

Arise to deliver Me, make no long tarrying , O 
My God. Tho thou killest Me, yet will I trust in 
thy mercy, and My Saviours merit. 

I know that My Redeemer liveth; tho thou leadest 
Me through the vale and shadow of death, yet shall 
1 feare none ill. 


232 


EIKQN BAS1AIKH. 


XXIV. UPON THEIR DENYING HIS MAJESTY THE 
ATTENDANCE OF HIS CHAPLAINES. 

When Providence was pleased to deprive Me 
of all other civill comforts and secular at¬ 
tendants, I thought the absence of them all 
might best be supplied by the attendance of 
some of My chaplaines ; whom for their function 
I reverence, and for their fidelity I have cause 
to love. By their learning, pietie, and prayers, 
I hoped to be either better enabled to sustaine 
the want of all other enjoyments, or better fitted 
for the recovery and use of them in Gods good 
time: so reaping by their pious help a spirituall 
harvest of grace amidst the thornes, and after 
the plowings of temporall crosses. 

The truth is, I never needed or desired more 
the service and assistance of men judiciously 
pious, and soberly devout. 

The solitude they have confined Me unto, adds 
the wildernesse to My temptations; for the com¬ 
pany they obtrude upon Me, is more sad then 
any solitude can be. 

If I had asked My revenues, My power of the 
militia , or any one of My kingdomes, it had been 
no wonder to have been denied in those things. 


EIK12N BA21AIKH. 


£33 


where the evill policy of men forbids all just 
restitution, lest they should confesse an injurious 
usurpation: but to deny Me the ghostly comfort 
of My chaplaines, seems a greater rigour and 
barbarity than is ever used by Christians to the 
meanest prisoners, and greatest malefactors; 
whom tho the justice of the lawe deprive of 
worldly comforts, yet the mercy of religion al- 
lowes them the benefit of their clergy, as not 
ayming at once to destroy their bodies, and to 
damne their soules. 

But My agony must not be relieved with the 
presence of any one good angel; for such I ac¬ 
count a learned, godly, and discreet divine: and 
such I would have all Mine to be. 

They, that envy My being a King, are loath I 
should be a Christian; while they seek to de¬ 
prive Me of all things else, they are afraid I 
should save My soule. 

Other sense charity itselfe can hardly pick 
out of those many harsh repulses I received, as 
to that request so often made for the attendance 
of some of My chaplaines. 

I have sometime thought the unchristiannesse 
of those denials might arise from a displeasure 
some men had to see Me prefer My owne divines 


231 


EIK12N BA2IAIKH. 


before their ministers : whom, tho I respect for 
that worth and pietie which may be in them; 
yet I cannot thinke them so proper for any pre¬ 
sent comforters or physitians ; who have (some 
of them at least) had so great an influence in oc¬ 
casioning these calamities, and inflicting these 
wounds upon Me. 

Nor are the soberest of them so apt for that 
devotionall complyance, and juncture of hearts, 
which I desire to bear in those holy offices, to 
be performed with Me, and for Me; since their 
judgements standing at a distance from Me, or 
in jealousie of Me, or in opposition against Me, 
their spirits cannot so harmoniously accord with 
Mine, or Mine with theirs, either in prayer, or 
other holy duties, as is meet, and most comfort¬ 
able ; whose golden rule, and bond of perfection 
consists in that of mutuall love and charity. 

Some remedies are worse then the disease, and 
some comforters more miserable then misery it 
selfe; when like Jobs friends, they seek not 
to fortifie ones mind with patience; but per- 
swade a man by betraying his owne innocency, 
to despaire of Gods mercy ; and by justifying 
their injuries, to strengthen the hands, and 
harden the hearts of insolent enemies. 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


235 


I am so much a friend to all Church-men, that 
have any thing in them beseeming that sacred 
function, that I have hazarded My owne interest, 
chiefly upon conscience and constancy to main- 
taine their rights ; whom the more I looked upon 
as orphans, and under the sacrilegious eyes of 
many cruell and rapacious reformers; so I 
thought it My duty the more to appear as a 
father, and a patron for them and the Church. 
Although I am very unhandsomely requited by 
some of them, who may live to repent no lesse 
for My sufferings, then their owne ungratefull 
errours, and that injurious contempt and mean- 
nesse, which they have brought upon their call¬ 
ing and persons. 

I pity all of them, I despise none: onely I 
thought I might have leave to make choice of 
some for My speciall attendants, who were best 
approved in My judgement, and most sutable to 
My affection. For, I held it better to seem un- 
devout, and to hear no mens prayers, then to be 
forced, or seem to comply with those petitions, 
to which the heart cannot consent, nor the 
tongue say Amen , without contradicting a mans 
owne understanding, or belying his owne soule. 

In devotions, I love neither profane boldnesse. 


236 EIKGN BA2IA1KH. 

nor pious non-sense; but such an humble and 
judicious gravity as shewes the speaker to be at 
once considerate of Gods majesty, the Churches 
honour, and his owne vilenesse ; both knowing 
what things God allows him to ask, and in what 
manner it becomes a sinner to supplicate the di¬ 
vine mercy for himselfe, and others. 

I am equally scandalized with all prayers, that 
sound either imperiously, or rudely, and pas¬ 
sionately ; as either wanting humility to God, or 
charity to men, or respect to the duty. 

I confesse I am better pleased, as with studied 
and premeditated sermons, so with such pub- 
lique formes of prayer, as are fitted to the 
Churches and every Christians daily and com¬ 
mon necessities ; because I am by them better 
assured, what I may joyn My heart unto, then I 
can be of any mans extemporary sufficiency; 
which as I doe not wholly exclude from pub- 
lique occasions, so I allow its just liberty and 
use in private and devout retirements; where 
neither the solemnity of the duty, nor the modest 
regard to others, doe require so great exactnesse 
as to the outward manner of performance. Tho 
the light of understanding, and the fervency of 
affection, I hold the maine and most necessary 


EIKQN BASTAIKH. 


237 


requisites both in constant, and occasionally so¬ 
litary, and sociall devotions. 

So that I must needs seem to all equal minds 
with as much reason to prefer the service of My 
owne chaplaines before that of their ministers, 
as 1 doe the Lyturgy before their Directory. 

In the one, I have been alwaies educated and 
exercised ; in the other, I am not yet catechized, 
nor acquainted : and if I were, yet should I not 
by that, as by any certain rule and canon of de¬ 
votion, be able to follow or find out the indirect 
extravagancies of most of those men, who highly 
cry up that as a piece of rare composure and 
use ; which is already as much despised and dis¬ 
used by many of them, as the Common-prayer 
sometimes was by those men; a great part of 
whose pietie hung upon that popular pin of rayl- 
ing against, and contemning the government, 
and Lyturgy of this Church. But I had rather 
be condemned to the woe of Va soli, then to that 
of Va vobis , Hypocrites , by seeming to pray what 
I doe not approve. 

It may be, I am esteemed by My denyers suffi¬ 
cient of My selfe to discharge My duty to God 
as a priest, tho not to men as a prince. 

Indeed, I think both offices, regall and sacer- 





238 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


dotall, might well become the same person; as 
ancient they were under one name, and the united 
rights of primogeniture : nor could I follow 
better precedents, if I were able, than those two 
eminent kings, David , and Solomon; not more 
famous for their scepters and crownes, then one 
was for devout psalmes and prayers; the other 
for his divine parables and preaching: whence 
the one merited and assumed the name of a pro¬ 
phet, the other of a preacher. Titles indeed of 
greater honour, where rightly placed, then any 
of those the Roman emperours affected from the 
nations they subdued: it being infinitely more 
glorious to convert soules to Gods Church by 
the word, then to conquer men to a subjection 
by the sword. 

Yet since the order of Gods wisdome and pro¬ 
vidence hath, for the most part, alwaies distin¬ 
guished the gifts and offices of kings, of priests, 
of princes and preachers ; both in the Jewish 
and Christian Churches; I am sorry to find My 
selfe reduced to the necessity of being both, or 
enjoying neither. 

For such as seek to deprive Me of kingly 
power and soveraignty; would no lesse enforce 
Me to live many months without all prayers, 


EIKQN BASIAIKI1. 


239 


sacraments, and sermons, unlesse I become My 
ovvne chaplaine. 

As I owe the clergy the protection of a Chris¬ 
tian King, so I desire to enjoy from them the 
benefit of their gifts and prayers ; which I look 
upon as more prevalent then My owne, or other 
mens; by how much they flow from minds more 
enlightned, and affections lesse distracted, then 
those, which are encombred with secular affaires: 
besides, I think a greater blessing and accept- 
ablenesse attends those duties, which are rightly 
performed, as proper to, and within the limits of 
that calling, to which God and the Church have 
specially designed and consecrated some men : 
and however, as to that spirituall government, 
by which the devout soule is subject to Christ, 
and through his merits daily offers it selfe and 
its services to God, every private believer is a 
king and priest, invested with the honour of a 
royall priesthood ; yet, as to ecclesiasticall order, 
and the outward polity of the Church, I think 
confusion in religion will as certainly follow 
every mans turning priest or preacher, as it will 
in the State, where every one affects to rule as 
i King. 

I was alwaies bred to more modest, and, I 




240 


E-IKQN BA2IAIKH. 


thinke, more pious principles : the conscious- 
nesse to My spirituall defects make Me more 
prize and desire those pious assistances, which 
holy and good ministers, either bishops or pres¬ 
byters, may afford Me; especially in these ex¬ 
tremities, to which God hath been pleased to 
suffer some of My subjects to reduce Me; so as 
to leave them nothing more, but My life to take 
from Me: and to leave Me nothing to desire, 
which I thought might lesse provoke their jea- 
lousie and offence to deny Me, then this of hav¬ 
ing some meanes afforded Me for My soules com¬ 
fort and support. 

To which end I made choice of men, as no 
way (that I know) scandalous, so every way emi¬ 
nent for their learning and pietie, no lesse then 
for their loyalty : nor can I imagine any excep¬ 
tions to be made against them but onely this, 
that they may seem too able and too well affected 
toward Me and My service. 

But this is not the first service (as I count it 
the best) in which they have forced Me to serve 
My selfe; tho I must confesse I beare with more 
griefe and impatience the want of My chaplaines, 
then of any other My servants ; and next (if not 
beyond in some things) to the being sequestred 




EIKA2N basiaikh. 


211 


from My wife and children, since from these in¬ 
deed more of humane and temporary affections, 
but from those more of heavenly and eternall 
improvements may be expected. 

My comfort is, that in the inforced (not neg- 
lected) want of ordinary meanes, God is wont to 
afford extraordinary supplies of his gifts and 
graces. 

If his Spirit will teach Me and helpe My in¬ 
firmities in prayer, reading and meditation, (as 
I hope he will) I shall need no other, either ora- 
tour or instructer. 

To thee therefore, O My God , doe 1 direct Mi/ 
now solitary 'prayers; what 1 want of others helpe, 
supply with the more immediate assistances of thy 
Spirit, which alone can both enlighten My dark- 
nesse, and quicken My dulnesse . 

O thou Suruie of righteousnesse, thou sacred foun- 
taine of heavenly light and heat, at once cleare and 
warme My heart, both by instructing of Me, arid in¬ 
terceding for Me: in thee is allfulnesse; from thee all- 
sufficiency: by thee is all acceptance. Thou art com - 
pany enough, and comfort enough : thou art My King , 
be also My prophet arid My priest. Rule Me, teach 
Me, pray in Me, for Me; and be thou ever with Me. 


K 






242 


EIKC2N RAITAIKH. 


The single wrestlings of Jacob prevailed with 
thee y in that sacred duell, when he had none to second 
him hut thy selfe; who didst assist him with power 
to overcome thee, and by a welcome violence to wrest 
a blessing from thee. 

O looke on Me thy servant , in infinite mercy, 
whom thou didst once blesse with the joynt and 
sociated devotions of others, whose fervency might 
inflame the colclnesse of My affections towards thee; 
when we went to, or met in thy house with the voice 
of joy and gladnesse, worshipping thee in the unity 
of spirits, and with the bond of peace. 

O forgive the neglect and riot improving of those 
happy opportunities . 

It is now thy pleasure that I should be as a pelican 
in the wildernesse, as a sparrow on the house top, 
and as a coale scattered from all those pious glowings, 
and devout refections, which might best kindle, pre¬ 
serve, and encrease the holy fire of thy graces on the 
altar of My heart, whence the sacrifice of prayers, 
and incense of praises, might be duly off ered up to 
thee. 

Yet O thou that breakest not the bruized reed, nor 
quenchest the smoaking flax, doe not despise the 
weaknesse of My prayers, nor the smotherings of 
My soule in this uncomfortable lonenesse ; to which 


EIKQN BASIAIKH. 


243 


1 am constrained by some mens uncharitable denialls 
of those helps, ivhich I much want, and no lesse desire. 

O let the hardnesse of their hearts occasion the 
softnings of Mine to thee, and for them. Let their 
hatred kindle My love, let their unreasonable denialls 
of My religious desires the more excite My prayers 
to thee. Let their inexorable deafnesse encline thine 
ear to Me; who art a God easie to be entreated ; 
thine ear is not heavy, that it cannot, nor thy heart 
hard, that it will not hear; nor thy hand shortned, 
that it cannot help Me thy desolate suppliant. 

Thou permit test men to deprive Me of those out¬ 
ward means, which thou hast appointed in thy 
Church; but they cannot debar re Me from the com¬ 
munion of that inward grace, which thou alone 
bi'eathest into humble hearts- 

O make Me such, and thou wilt teach Me ; thou 
wilt hear Me, thou wilt help Me: the broken and 
contrite heart I know thou wilt not despise. 

Thou, O Lord, canst at once make Me thy temple, 
thy priest, thy sacrifice, and thine altar; while from 
an humble heart I (alone) daily offer up in holy 
meditations, fervent prayers, and unfeigned teares 
My selfe to thee; who preparest Me for thee, dwellest 

in Me, and acceptest of Me. 

Thou, O Lord, didst cause by secret supplies and 

r 2 


244 


EIKC2N BA2TAIKH. 


miraculous infusions, that the handfull oj meal in 
the vessel should not spend, nor the little oyle in the 
cruisefaile the widow during the time of drought and 
dearth. 

O look on My soule, which is a widow, is now 
desolate and forsaken : let not those saving truths I 
have formerly learned, now fail My memory; nor 
the sweet effusions of thy Spirit, which I have some¬ 
time felt, now he wanting to My heart in this famine 
of ordinary and wholsome food for the refreshing of 
My soule. 

Which yet I had rather chuse then to feed from 
those hands who mingle My bread with ashes, and 
My wine with gall; rather tormenting then teaching 
Me; whose mouths are proner to bitter reproaches of 
Me, then to hearty prayers for Me. 

Thou knowest, O Lord of truth, how oft they 
wrest thy Holy Scriptures to My destruction, (which 
are clearefor their subjection, and My preservation) 
O let it not be to their damnation. 

Thou knowest how some men (under colour of 
long prayers) have sought to devour the houses of 
their brethren , their King, and their God. 

O let not those mens balmes break My head, nor 
their cordialls oppresse My heart, I will evermore 
pray against their wickednesse. 


EIK12N liASIAIKH. 


245 


From the poyson under their tongues, from the 
snares of their lips, from the fire, and the swords of 
their words ever deliver Me, O Lord, and all those 
loyall and religious hearts, who desire and delight in 
the prosperity of My soule, and who seek by their 
prayers to relieve this sadnesse, and solitude of thy 
servant, O My King and My God. 



21G 


EIKQN BA2IA1KH. 


XXV. PENITENTIALL MEDITATIONS AND VOWES IN 
THE KINGS SOLITUDE AT HOLDENBY. 

Give ear to My words O Lord, consider My medi¬ 
tation, and hearken to the voice of My cry, My 
King and My God, for unto thee will I pray. 

I said in My haste I am cast out of the sight of 
thine eyes; neverthelesse thou hearest the voice of 
My supplication, when I cry unto thee. 

If thou Lord shouldst he extream to mark what is 
done amisse, who can abide it ? But there is mercy 
with thee, that thou mayest he feared ; therefore 
shall sinners fly unto thee. 

I acknowledge My sinnes before thee, which have 
the aggravation of My condition; the eminency of 
My place adding weight to My offences. 

Forgive, I beseech thee, My personall, and My 
peoples sinnes; which are so farre Mine, as I have 
not improved the power thou gavest Me, to thy 
glory, and My subjects good: thou hast now brought 
Me from the glory andfreedome of a King, to be a 
prisoner to My owne subjects: justly, O Lord, as to 
thy over-ruling hand, because in many things I have 
rebelled against thee. 

Tho thou hast restrained My person, yet enlarge 
My heart to thee, and thy grace towards Me. 


E1KQN BA2IA1RH. 


247 


/ come feme short of Davids pietie; yet since I 
may equall Davids afflictions, give Me also the com¬ 
forts and the sure mercies of David. 

Let the penitent sense I have of My sinnes, be an 
evidence to Me, that thou hast pardoned them. 

Let not the evils, which I and My kingdomes have 
suffered, seem little unto thee; tho thou hast not 
punished us according to our sinnes. 

Turtle thee (O Lord) unto Me; have mercy upon 
Me, for I am desolate and afflicted. 

The sorrows of My heart are enlarged; O bring 
thou Me out of My trou bles. 

Hast thou forgotten to be gracious, and shut up 
thy loving kindnesse in displeasure ? 

O remember thy compassions of old, and thy lov¬ 
ing kindnesses, which have been for many genera¬ 
tions. 

I had utterly fainted, if I had not believed to see 
thy goodnesse in the land of the living. 

Let not the sinnes of our prosperity deprive us of 
the benefit of thy afflictions. 

Let this fiery triall consume the drosse, which in 
long peace and plenty we had contracted. 

Tho thou continuest miseries , yet withdraw not thy 
grace; what is wanting of prosperity, make up in 
patience and repentance. 


248 


EIKQN BASIA1KH. 


And if thy anger be not to be yet turned away, 
but thy hand of justice must be stretched out still; 
let it I beseech thee be against Me, and My fathers 
house; as for these sheep, what have they done ? 

Let My sufferings satiate the malice of Mine, and 
thy Churches enemies. 

But let their cruelty never exceed the measure of 
My charity. 

Banish from Me all thoughts of revenge, that I 
may not lose the reward, nor thou the glory of My 
patience. 

As thou givest Me a heart to forgive them, so 1 
beseech thee doe thou forgive what they have done 
against thee and Me. 

And now, O Lord, as thou hast given Me an 
heart to pray unto thee; so heare and accept this 
vowe, which I make before thee. 

If thou wilt in mercy remember Me, and My 
kingdomes ; in continuing the light of thy Gospell, 
and setling thy true religion among us; 

In restoring to us the benefit of the lawes, and the 
due execution of justice; 

In suppressing the many schismes in Church, and 
factions in State: 

If thou wilt restore Me and Mine to the ancient 
rights and glory of My predecessours: 


EIKGN BA2IAIKH. 


219 


If thou zvilt turne the hearts of My people to thy 
selfe in pietie, to Me in loyalty, and to one another 
in charity: 

If thou wilt quench the flames, and withdraw the 
fewell of these civill warres: 

If thou unit blesse us with thefreedome of pub- 
lique counsels, and deliver the honour of Parlia¬ 
ments from the insolency of the vulgar; 

If thou wilt keep Me from the great offence of 
enacting any thing against My conscience ; and espe¬ 
cially from consenting to sacrilegious rapines, and 
spoilings of ihy Church: 

If thou wilt restore Me to a capacity to glorifie 
thee in doing good, both to the Church and State: 

Then shall My soule praise thee, and magnifie thy 
name before My people. 

Then shall thy glory be dearer to Me then My 
crownes ; and the advancement of true religion both 
in purity and power be My chief est care. 

Then will I rule My people with justice, and My 
kingdomes with equity. 

To thy more immediate hand shall I ever owne as 
the rightfull succession, so the mercifull restauration 
of My kingdomes, and the glory of them . 

If thou wilt bring Me again with peace, safety, 


2o0 


EIKON BA2IA1KH. 


and honour, to My chiefest city, and My Parlia¬ 
ment* 

If thou wilt againe put the sword of justice into 
My hand to punish and protect. 

Then will I make all the world to see, and My 
very enemies to enjoy the benefit of this voice and re¬ 
solution of Christian charity, which I now make 
unto thee O Lord. 

As I doe freely pardon for Christs sake those that 
have offended Me in any kind; so My hand shall 
never be against any man to revenge what is past, in 
regard of any particular injury done to Me. 

We have been mutually punished in our un- 
naturall divisions; for thy sake O Lord, and J'or 
the love of My Redeemer, have I purposed this in 
My heart, that I will use all means in the icaics 
of amnesty and indemnity, which may most f ully 
remove all feares, and bury all jealousies in J'orget- 
J'ulnesse. 

Let thy mercies be toward Me and Mine, as My 
resolutions of truth and peace are toward My people. 

Heare My prayer O Lord, which goeth not out 
of feigned lips. 

Blessed be God, who hath not turned away My 
prayer; nor taken his mercy from Me. 


EIKGN BA2IAIKH. 


2ol 


O My soule, commit thy way to the Lord, trust 
in him, and he shall bring it to passe. 

But if thou wilt not restore Me and Mine, what 
am I that I should charge thee foolishly ? 

Thou O Lord hast given, and thou hast taken, 
blessed be thy name . 

May My people and thy Church be happy, if not 
by Me, yet without Me. 



252 


KIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


XXVI. UPON THE ARMIES SURPRISALL OF THE KING 
AT HOLDENBY, AND THE ENSUING DISTRACTIONS IN 
THE TWO HOUSES, THE ARMY, AND THE CITY. 

What part God will have Me now to act or 
suffer in this new and strange scene of affaires, 
I am not much solicitous ; some little practice 
will serve that man, who onely seeks to repre¬ 
sent a part of honesty and honour. 

This surprize of Me tells the world, that a 
King cannot be so low, but he is considerable ; 
adding weight to that party where he appeares. 

This motion, like others of the times, seems 
excentrique and irregular, yet not well to be re¬ 
sisted or quieted: better swim down such a 
stream, then in vain to strive against it. 

These are but the struglings of those twins, 
which lately one womb enclosed, the younger 
striving to prevaile against the elder; what the 
Presbyterians have hunted after, the Indepen¬ 
dents now seek to catch for themselves. 

So impossible is it for lines to be drawn from 
the center, and not to divide from each other, so 
much the wider, by how much they go farther 
from the point of union. 

That the builders of Babel should from divi- 


EIKQN BASIA1KH. 


2.0 3 


sion fall to confusion, is no wonder; but for 
those that pretend to build Jerusalem, to divide 
their tongues and hands, is but an ill omen; and 
sounds too like the fury of those zealots, whose 
intestine bitternesse and divisions were the 
greatest occasion of the last fatall destruction 
of that city. 

Well may I change My keepers and prison, 
but not My captive condition, onely with this 
hope of bettering, that those who are so much 
professed patrons for the peoples liberties, can¬ 
not be utterly against the liberty of their King ; 
what they demand for their owne consciences, 
they cannot in reason deny to Mine. 

In this they seem more ingenuous, then the 
Presbyterian rigour, who, sometimes complain¬ 
ing of exacting their conformity to lawes, are 
become the greatest exactors of other mens sub¬ 
mission to their no veil injunctions, before they 
are stamped with the authority of lawes, which 
they cannot well have without My consent. 

Tis a great argument, that the Independents 
think themselves manumitted from their rivals 
service, in that they carry on a businesse of such 
consequence, as the assuming My person into 
the armies custody, without any commission. 



254 


EIKQN BA SI A IK H. 


but that of their owne will and power. Such as 
will thus adventure on a King, must not be 
thought over-modest, or timerous to carry on 
any designe they have a mind to. 

Their next motion menaces, and scares both 
the two Houses and the city : which soone after, 
acting over again that former part of tumultuary 
motions, (never questioned, punished, or re¬ 
pented) must now suffer for both ; and see their 
former sinne in the glasse of the present terrours 
and distractions. 

No man is so blind as not to see herein the 
hand of divine justice; they that by tumults 
first occasioned the raising of armies, must now 
be chastened by their owne army for new tu¬ 
mults. 

So hardly can men be content with one sinne, 
but adde sinne to sinne, till the latter punish the 
former; such as were content to see Me and 
many members of both Houses driven away by 
the first unsuppressed tumults, are now forced 
to flie to an army, or defend themselves against 
them. 

But who can unfold the riddle of some mens 
justice? the members of both Houses who at 
first withdrew, (as My selfe was forced to doe) 


EIKQN EASIAIKH. 


2 .W 


from the rudenesse of the tumults, were counted 
desertors, and outed of their places in Parlia¬ 
ment; such as stayed then, and enjoyed the benefit 
of the tumults, were asserted for the onely Par¬ 
liament-men : now the fliers from, and forsakers 
of their places, carry the parliamentary power 
along with them ; complaine highly against the 
tumults, and vindicate themselves by an army : 
such as remained and kept their stations, are 
looked upon as abettors of tumultuary inso¬ 
lences, and betrayers of the freedome and ho¬ 
nour of Parliament. 

Thus is power above all rule, order, and lawe ; 
where men look more to present advantages then 
their consciences, and the unchangeable rules of 
justice ; while they are judges of others, they are 
forced to condemn themselves. 

Now the plea against tumults holds good, the 
authours and abbettors of them are guilty of 
prodigious insolencies; when as before, they 
were counted as friends and necessary as¬ 
sistants. 

I see vengeance pursues and overtakes (as the 
mice and rats are said to have done a bishop in 
Germany) them that thought to have escaped 






2aG 


E1KQX BA SI A IK II. 


and fortified themselves most impregnably against 
it, both by their multitude and compliance. 

Whom the lavves cannot, God will punish, by 
their owne crimes and hands. 

I cannot but observe this divine justice, yet 
with sorrow and pity; for, I alwaies wished so 
well to Parliament and city, that I was sorry to 
see them doe, or suffer, any thing unworthy 
such great and considerable bodies in this king- 
dome. 

I was glad to see them onely scared and hum¬ 
bled, not broken by that shaking : I never had 
so ill a thought of those cities as to despaire 
of their loyalty to Me; which mistakes might 
eclipse, but I never believed malice had quite 
put out. 

I pray God the storme be yet wholly passed 
over them; upon whom I look, as Christ did 
sometime over Jerusalem , as objects of My 
prayers and teares, with compassionate grief, 
foreseeing those severer scatterings which will 
certainly befall such as wantonly refuse to be 
gathered to their duty: fatall blindnesse fre¬ 
quently attending and punishing wilfull, so that 
men shall not be able at last to prevent their 


EIKQN BASIAIKH. 


257 


sorrows who would not timely repent of their 
sinnes; nor shall they be suffered to enjoy the 
comforts, who securely neglect the counsels be¬ 
longing to their peace. They will find that 
brethren in iniquity are not farre from becom- 
ming insolent enemies, there being nothing 
harder then to keep ill men long in one mind. 

Nor is it possible to gaine a faire period for 
those notions which go rather in a round and 
circle of fansie, then in a right line of reason 
tending to the lawe, the onely center of publique 
consistency; whither I pray God at last bring 
all sides. 

Which will easily be done, when we shall fully 
see how much more happy we are, to be subject 
to the known lawes, then to the various wills of 
any men, seem they never so plausible at first. 

Vulgar compliance with any illegall and ex¬ 
travagant waies, like violent motions in nature, 
soon grows weary of it selfe, and ends in a re¬ 
fractory sullennesse: peoples rebounds are oft 
in their faces, who first put them upon those 
violent strokes. 

For the army (which is so farre excusable, as 
they act according to souldiers principles, and 
interests, demanding pay and indemnity) 1 thinke 


s 


258 EIKQN B ASIA IK H. 

it necessary, in order to the publique peace, that 
they should be satisfied, as farre as is just; no 
man being more prone to consider them then My 
selfe; tho they have fought against Me, yet I 
cannot but so farre esteem that valour and gal¬ 
lantry they have sometime shewed, as to wish I 
may never want such men to maintaine My 
selfe. My lawes, and My kingdomes, in such a 
peace, as wherein they may enjoy their share and 
proportion as much as any men. 

But thou, O Lord, who art perfect Unity in a 
sacred Trinity, in mercy behold those, whom thy 
justice hath divided 

Deliver Me from the strivings of My people, and 
make Me to see how much they need My prayers and 
pity, ivho agreed to fight against Me, and yet are 
now ready to fight against one another; to the con¬ 
tinuance of My kingdomes distractions. 

Discover to all sides the waies of peace, from 
which they hate swerved: which consists not in the 
divided wills of parties, but in the joy nt and due ob¬ 
servation of the lawes . 

Make Me willing to go whither thou wilt lead Me 
by thy providence; and be thou ever with Me, that 
I may see thy constancy in the worlds variety and 
changes . 


EIKQN BASIAIKH. 


259 


Make Me even such as thou wouldst have Me, 
that 1 may at last enjoy that safety and tranquillity 
which thou alone const give Me. 

Divert, I pray thee, O Lord, thy heavy wrath 
justly hanging over those populous cities, whose 
plenty is prone to adde fewell to their luxury, their 
wealth to make them wanton, their multitudes tempt• 
ing them to security, and their security exposing 
them to unexpected miseries. 

Give them eyes to see, hearts to consider , wils to 
embrace, and courage to act those things which be¬ 
long to thy glory and the publique peace, lest their 
calamity come upon them as an armed man. 

Teach them, that they cannot want enemies who 
abound in sinne, nor shall they be long un-disarmed 
or un-destroyed, who with a high hand persisting to 
fight against thee and the cleare convictions of their 
owne consciences, fight more against themselves, than 
ever they did against Me. 

Their sinnes exposing them to thy justice, their 
riches to others injuries, their number to tumults, and 
their tumults to confusion. 

Tho they have with much forwardnesse helped to 
destroy Me, yet let not My fall be their mine . 

Let Me not so much consider, either what they 
have done, or I have suffered, (chiefly at first by 

s 2 


EIKQN BA2TA1KH. 


£60 

them) as to forget to imitate My crucified Redeemer, 
to plead their ignorance for their pardon; and in 
My dying extremities to pray to thee O Father to 
forgive them, for they knew not what they did. 

The teares they have denied Me in My saddest 
condition, give them grace to bestow upon themselves, 
who the lesse they weep for Me, the more cause they 
have to weep for themselves . 

O let not My bloud he upon them and their chil¬ 
dren, whom the fraud and faction of some, not the 
malice of all, have excited to crucifie Me. 

But thou, O Lord, const, and wilt (as thou didst 
My Redeemer) both exalt and perfect Me by My 
sufferings, which have more in them of thy mercy , 
than of mans cruelty or thy owne justice t 


E1KQN BA21AIKH. 


261 

XXV11. TO T11E PRINCE OF WALES. 

ohnne, if these papers, with some others, 
wherein I have set downe the private reflections 
of My conscience, and My most impartiall 
thoughts, touching the chiefe passages, which 
have been most remarkable, or disputed in My 
late troubles, come to your hands, to whom they 
are chiefly design’d ; they may be so farre usefull 
to you, as to state your judgement aright in what 
hath passed; whereof, a pious is the best use 
can be made; and they may also give you some 
directions, how to remedy the present distem¬ 
pers, and prevent (if God will) the like for time 
to come. 

It is some kind of deceiving and lessening the 
injury of My long restraint, when I find My 
leisure and solitude have produced something 
worthy of My selfe, and usefull to you; that 
neither you, nor any other, may hereafter mea¬ 
sure My cause by the successe ; nor My judge¬ 
ment of things by My misfortunes ; which I 
count the greater by farre, because they have so 
farre lighted upon you, and some others, whom 
I have most cause to love as well as My selfe; 


2G2 


JiIKON BA2IAIKH. 


and of whose unmerited sufferings I have a greater 
sense then of Mine owne. 

But this advantage of wisdoine you have above 
most princes; that you have begun, and now 
spent some yeares of discretion, in the expe¬ 
rience of troubles, and exercise of patience, 
wherein pietie, and all vertues, both morall and 
political!, are commonly better planted to a 
thriving, as trees set in winter, then in warmth 
and serenity of times; or amidst those delights, 
which usually attend princes courts in times of 
peace and plenty; which are prone, either to 
root up all plants of true vertue and honour; or 
to be contented only with some leaves, and 
withering formalities of them, without any reall . 
fruits, such as tend to the publique good ; for 
which princes should alwaies remember, they are 
born, and by providence designed. 

The evidence of which different education the 
Holy Writ affords us in the contemplation of 
David and Rehoboam : the one prepared, by many 
afflictions for a flourishing kingdome ; the other 
softned by the unparalel’d prosperity of Solomons 
court; and so corrupted to the great diminution, 
both for peace, honour, and kingdome, by those 


E1KQN BA2IA1KH. 


263 


flatteries, which are as unseparable from pros¬ 
perous princes, as flies are from fruit in summer; 
whom adversity, like cold weather, drives away. 

1 had rather you should be Charles le Bon , then 
le Grand, good, then great; I hope God hath 
designed you to be both, having so early put you 
into that exercise of his graces, and gifts be¬ 
stowed upon you, which may best weed out all 
vicious inclinations, and dispose you to those 
princely endowments, and employments, which 
will most gain the love, and intend the welfare 
of those, over whom God shall place you. 

With God I would have you begin and end, 
who is King of Kings ; the Soveraigne disposer 
of the kingdomes of the world, who pulleth 
downe one, and setteth up another. 

The best government, and highest soveraignty 
you can attaine to, is, to be subject to him, that 
the scepter of his word and Spirit may rule in 
your heart. 

The true glory of princes consists in advancing 
Gods glory in the maintenance of true religion, 
and the Churches good ; also in the dispensation 
of civill power, with justice and honour to the 
publique peace. 

Pietie will make you prosperous; at least it 


2G4 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


will keep you from being miserable ; nor is he 
much a loser, that loseth all, yet saveth his owne 
soule at last. 

To which center of true happinesse, God (l 
trust) hath, and will graciously direct ail these 
black lines of affliction, which he hath been 
pleased to draw on Me, and by which he hath 
(I hope) drawne Me nearer to himselfe. You 
have already tasted of that cup whereof I have 
liberally drank, which I looke upon as Gods 
physick, having that in healthfulnesse which it 
wants in pleasure. 

Above all, I would have you, as I hope you 
are already, wel-grounded and setled in your 
religion: the best profession of which, I have 
ever esteemed that of the Church of England , in 
which you have been educated ; yet I would 
have your owne judgement and reason now seal 
to that sacred bond which education hath written, 
that it may be judiciously your owne religion, 
and not other mens custome or tradition, which 
you professe. 

In this I charge you to persevere, as comming 
nearest to Gods word for doctrine, and to the 
primitive examples for government, with some 
little amendment, which I have otherwhere ex- 


E1K12N BA2IA1KH. 


265 


pressed, and often offered, tlio in vain. Your 
fixation in matters of religion will not be more 
necessary for your soules then your kingdomes 
peace, when God shall bring you to them. 

For I have observed, that the devill of rebel¬ 
lion, doth commonly turne himselfe into an 
angel of reformation; and the old serpent can 
pretend new lights : when some mens consciences 
accuse them for sedition and faction, they stop 
its mouth with the name and noise of religion ; 
when pietie pleads for peace and patience, they 
crie out zeale. 

So that, unlesse in this point you be well setled, 
you shall never want temptations to destroy you 
and yours, under pretensions of reforming matters 
of religion ; for that seems, even to worst men, 
as the best and most auspicious beginning of 
their worst designes. 

Where, besides the novelty which is taking 
enough with the vulgar, every one hath an affec¬ 
tation, by seeming forward to an outward re¬ 
formation of religion, to be thought zealous; 
hoping to cover those irreligious deformities, 
whereto they are conscious, by a severity of cen¬ 
suring other mens opinions or actions. 

Take heed of abetting any factions, or apply- 


2GG 


lilKQN BA2IA1KH. 


ing to any publique discriminations in matters 
of religion, contrary to what is in your judge¬ 
ment, and the Church well setled ; your partiall 
adhering, as head, to any one side, gaines you 
not so great advantages in some mens hearts 
(who are prone to be of their Kings religion) as 
it loseth you in others; who think themselves, 
and their profession first despised, then perse¬ 
cuted by you : take such a course as may either 
with calmnesse and charity quite remove the 
seeming differences and offences by impartiality, 
or so order affaires in point of power that you 
shall not need to fear or flatter any faction. For 
if ever you stand in need of them, or must stand 
to their courtesie, you are undone : the serpent 
will devour the dove: you may never expect 
lesse of loyalty, justice, or humanity, then from 
those, who engage into religious rebellion; their 
interest is alwaies made Gods; under the co¬ 
lours of pietie, ambitious policies march, not 
onely with greatest security, but applause, as to 
the populacie ; you may heare from them Jacobs 
voice, but you shall feele they have Esaus hands. 

Nothing seemed lesse considerable then the 
Presbyterian faction in England, for many yeares; 
so compliant they were to publique order: nor 


E1KQN BA21A1KH. 


267 


indeed was their party great either in Church, or 
State, as to mens judgements: but as soon as 
discontents drave men into sidings (as ill hu¬ 
mours fall to the disaffected part, which causes 
inflamations) so did all, at first, who affected any 
novelties, adhere to that side, as the most re¬ 
markable and specious note of difference (then) 
in point of religion. 

All the lesser factions at first were officious 
servants to presbytery their great Master : till 
time and military successe discovering to each 
their peculiar advantages, invited them to part 
stakes, and leaving the joynt stock of uniforme 
religion, pretended each to drive for their party 
the trade of profits and preferments, to the 
breaking and undoing not onely of the Church 
and State, but even of presbytery itself, which 
seemed and hoped at first to have ingrossed all. 

Let nothing seem little or despicable to you in 
matters which concern religion and the Churches 
peace, so as to neglect a speedy reforming and 
effectuall suppressing errours and schismes, 
which seem at first but as a hand-bredth, by se¬ 
ditious Spirits, as by strong winds are soon made 
to cover and darken the whole Heaven. 

When you have done justice to God, your 


268 


EIKQN BASIAIKH. 


owne soule, and His Church, in the profession 
and preservation both of truth and unity in re¬ 
ligion : the next main hinge on which your pros¬ 
perity will depend, and move, is, that of civill 
justice, wherein the setled lawes of these king- 
domes, to which you are rightly heire, are the 
most excellent rules you can governe by; which 
by an admirable temperament give very much to 
subjects industry, liberty, and happinesse; and 
yet reserve enough to the majesty and prero¬ 
gative of any king, who ownes his people as 
subjects, not as slaves ? whose subjection, as it 
preserves their property, peace} and safety, so it 
will never diminish your rights, nor their inge¬ 
nuous liberties: which consists in the enjoy¬ 
ment of the fruits of their industry, and the be¬ 
nefit of those lawes to which themselves have 
consented. 

Never charge your head with such a crowne, 
as shall by its heavinesse oppresse the whole 
body, the weaknesse of whose parts cannot re- 
turne any thing of strength, honour, or safety 
to the head, but a necessary debilitation and 
mine. 

Your prerogative is best shewed, and exercised 
in remitting, rather then exacting the rigor of 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH; 


209 

the lawes; there being nothing worse then legall 
tyranny. 

In these two points, the preservation of estab¬ 
lished religion, and lawes, I may (without vanity) 
turne the reproach of My sufferings, as to the 
worlds censure, into the honour of a kind of 
martyrdome, as to the testimony of My owne 
conscience; the troublers of My kingdomes hav¬ 
ing nothing else to object against Me but this, 
that I prefer religion, and lawes established 
before those alterations they propounded. 

And so indeed I doe, and ever shall, till I am 
convinced by better arguments, then what hi¬ 
therto have been chiefly used towards Me, tu¬ 
mults, armies, and prisons. 

I cannot yet learn that lesson, nor I hope ever 
will you, that it is safe for a King to gratifie any 
faction with the perturbation of the lawes, in 
-which is wrapt up the publique interest, and the 
good of the community. 

How God will deal with Me, as to the removall 
of these pressures, and indignities, which his 
justice by the very unjust hands of some of My 
subjects, hath been pleased to lay upon Me, l 
cannot tell: nor am I much solicitous what 




270 


EIKGN BA2IAIKH. 


wrong I suffer from men, while I retaine in My 
soule, what I believe is right before God. 

I have offered all for reformation and safety, 
that in reason, honour, and conscience I can; 
reserving onely what I cannot consent unto, 
without an irreparable injury to My owne soule, 
the Church, and My people, and to you also, as 
the next and undoubted heire of My kingdomes. 

To which if the Divine Providence, to whom 
no difficulties are insuperable, shall in his due 
time after My decease bring you, as I hope he 
will; My counsell and charge to you, is, that 
you seriously consider the former, reall, or ob¬ 
jected miscarriages, which might occasion My 
troubles, that you may avoid them. 

Never repose so much upon any mans single 
counsell, fidelity, and discretion, in managing 
affaires of the first magnitude, (that is, matters 
of religion and justice) as to create in your selfe, 
or others, a diffidence of your owne judgement, 
which is likely to be alwaies more constant and 
impartiall to the interests of your crowne and 
kingdome then any mans. 

Next, beware of exasperating any factions by 
the crosnesse, and asperity of some mens pas- 


EIKQN E AST AIK II. 


271 


sions, humours, or private opinions, imployed by 
you, grounded onely upon the differences in 
lesser matters, which are but the skirts and 
suburbs of religion. 

Wherein a charitable connivance and Christian 
toleration often dissipates their strength, whom 
rougher opposition fortifies; and puts the de¬ 
spised and oppressed party, into such combina¬ 
tions, as may most enable them to get a full 
revenge on those they count their persecutors, 
who are commonly assisted by that vulgar com¬ 
miseration, which attends all, that are said to 
suffer under the notion of religion. 

Provided the differences amount not to an in¬ 
solent opposition of lawes, and government, or 
religion established, as to the essentials of them, 
such motions and minings are intolerable. 

Alwaies keep up solid pietie, and those fun¬ 
damental! truths (which mend both hearts and 
lives of men) with impartiall favour and justice. 

Take heed that outward circumstances and 
formalities of religion devour not all, or the best 
incouragements of learning, industry, and pietie; 
but with an equall eye, and impartiall hand dis¬ 
tribute favours and rewards to all men, as you 


272 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


find them for their reall goodnesse both in abi- 
lities and fidelity worthy and capable of them. 

This will be sure to gain you the hearts of the 
best, and the most too ; who, tho they be not 
good themselves, yet are glad to see the severer 
waies of vertue at any time sweetned by tem- 
porall rewards. 

I have, you see, conflicted with different and 
opposite factions; (for so I must needs call and 
count all those, that act not in any conformity 
to the lawes established, in Church and State) 
no sooner have they by force subdued what they 
counted their common enemy, (that is, all those 
that adhered to the lawes, and to Me) and are 
secured from that fear, but they are divided to 
so high a rivalry, as sets them more at defiance 
against each other, then against their first anta¬ 
gonists. 

Time will dissipate all factions, when once 
the rough homes of private mens covetous and 
ambitious designes, shall discover themselves ; 
which were at first wrapt up and hidden under 
the soft and smooth pretentions of religion, re¬ 
formation, and liberty : as the wolfe is not lesse 
cruell, so he will be more justly hated, when he 



EIKQN JIASIAIKH. 


273 


shall appear no better then a wolfe under sheeps 
cloathing. 

But as for the seduced traine of the vulgar, 
who in their simplicity follow those disguises ; 
My charge and counsell to you, is, that as you 
need no palliations for any designes (as other 
men) so that you study really to exceed (in true 
and constant demonstrations of goodnesse,pietie, 
and vertue, towards the people) even all those 
men, that make the greatest noise and ostenta¬ 
tions, of religion ; so you shall neither fear any 
detection, (as they doe, who have but the face 
and mask of goodnesse) nor shall you frustrate 
the just expectations of your people ; who cannot 
in reason promise themselves so much good 
from any subjects novelties, as from the vertuous 
constancy of their King. 

When these mountaines of congealed factions 
shall by the sunshine of Gods mercy, and the 
splendour of your vertues be thawed and dissi¬ 
pated ; and the abused vulgar should have 
learned, that none are greater oppressours of 
their estates, liberties, and consciences than 
those men, that entitle themselves, the patrons 
and vindicators of them, onely to usurpe power 
over them ; let then no passion betray you to 

T 




274 


EIKQN BASIAIKH. 


any study of revenge upon those, whose owne 
sinne and folly will sufficiently punish them in 
due time. 

But as soon as the forked arrow of factious 
emulations is drawn out, use all princely arts, 
and clemency to heal the wounds ; that the smart 
of the cure may not equall the anguish of the 
hurt. 

I have offered acts of indemnity, and oblivion, 
to so great a latitude, as may include all, that 
can but suspect themselves to be any way ob¬ 
noxious to the lawes; and which might serve to 
exclude all future jealousies and insecurities. 

I would have you always propense to the same 
way, when ever it shall be desired and accepted, 
let it be granted, not onely as an act of state- 
policy and necessity, but of Christian charity 
and choice. 

It is all I have now left Me, a power to forgive 
those, that have deprived Me of all; and I thanke 
God, I have a heart to doe it; and joy as much 
in this grace, which God hath given Me, as in 
all My former enjoyments ; for this is a greater 
argument of Gods love to Me, then any pros¬ 
perity can be. 

Be confident (as I am) that the most of all 



EIKUN BASIAIKH. 


275 


sides, who have done amisse, have done so, not 
out of malice, but mis-information, or mis-appre- 
hension of things. 

None will be more loyall and faithfull to Me 
and you, then those subjects, who sensible of 
their errours, and our injuries, will feel in their 
owne soules most vehement motives to repent¬ 
ance ; and earnest desires to make some repara¬ 
tions for their former defects. 

As your quality sets you beyond any duell with 
any subject: so the noblenesse of your mind 
must raise you above the meditating any re¬ 
venge, or executing your anger upon the many. 

The more conscious you shall be to your owne 
merits, upon your people, the more prone you 
will be to expect all love and loyalty from them; 
and to inflict no punishment upon them for for¬ 
mer miscarriages : you will have more inward 
complacency in pardoning one, then in punishing 
a thousand. 

This I write to you, not despairing of Gods 
mercy, and My subjects affections towards you; 
both which, I hope you will study to deserve, 
yet we cannot merit of God, but by his owne 
mercy. 

If God shall see fit to restore Me, and you 

t 2 


276 


EIKQN B A.21AI K.H. 


after Me, to those enjoyments, which the lawes 
have assigned to us; and no subjects without an 
high degree of guilt and sinne can devest us of; 
then may I have better opportunity, when I shall 
be so happy to see you in peace, to let you more 
fully understand the things that belong to Gods 
glory, your owne honour, and the kingdomes 
peace. 

But if you never see My face againe, and God 
will have Me buried in such a barbarous impri¬ 
sonment and obscurity, (which the perfecting 
some mens designes require) wherein few hearts 
that love Me are permitted to exchange a word, 
or a look with Me; I doe require and entreat 
you as your father, and your King, that you 
never suffer your heart to receive the least check 
against, or disaffection from the true religion 
established in the Church oi En viand. 

I tell you, I have tried it, and after much 
search, and many disputes, have concluded it to 
be the best in the world ; not onely in the com¬ 
munity, as Christian, but also in the speciall no¬ 
tion, as reformed: keeping the middle way be¬ 
tween the pomp of superstitious tyranny, and 
the meannesse of fantastique anarchy. 

Not but that (the draught being excellent as 


EIKQN BASl VIKH. 


, 27? 


to the maine, both for doctrine and government, 
in the Chinch of England') some lines, as in very 
good figures, may haply need some sweetning, 
or polishing ; which might here have easily been 
done by a safe and gentle hand ; if some mens 
precipitancy had not violently demanded such 
rude alterations, as would have quite destroyed 
all the beauty and proportions of the whole. 

The scandall of the late troubles, which some 
may object, and urge to you against the Pro¬ 
testant religion established in England, is 
easily answered to them, or your owne thoughts 
in this, that scarce any one who hath been a 
beginner, or an active prosecutor of this late 
warre against the Church, the lawes, and Me, 
either was, or is a true lover, embracer, or prac- 
tiser of the Protestant religion, established in 

a 

England: which neither gives such rules, nor 
ever before set such examples. 

*Tis true, some heretofore had the boldnesse 
to present threatning petitions to their Princes 
and Parliaments, which others of the same fac¬ 
tion (but of worse spirits) have now put in exe¬ 
cution : but let not counterfeit and disorderly 
zeale abate your value and esteem of true pietie, 
both of them are to be knowne by their fruits; 


278 


KIKQN BA2IA1KH. 


the sweetnesse of the vine and fig-tree is not to 
be despised, though the brambles and thornes 
should pretend to beare figs and grapes, thereby 
to rule over the trees. 

Nor would I have you to entertain any aversa- 
tion, or dislike of Parliaments; which in their 
right constitution with freedome and honour, 
will never injure or diminish your greatnesse, 
but will rather be as interchangings of love, 
loyalty, and confidence, between a prince, and 
his people. 

Nor would the events of this black Parliament 
have been other than such (however much 
biassed by factions in the elections) if it had 
been preserved from the insolencies of popular 
dictates, and tumultuary impressions: the sad 
effects of which will no doubt, make all Parlia- 
ments after this more cautious to preserve that 
freedome, and honour, which belongs to such as¬ 
semblies (when once they have fully shaken off 
this yoke of vulgar encroachment) since the pub- 
lique interest consists in the mutuall and com¬ 
mon good both of prince and people. 

Nothing can be more happy for all, then in 
faire, grave, and honourable waies to contribute 
their counsels in common, enacting all things by 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


279 


publique consent; without tyranny or tumults. 
We must not starve our selves, because some 
men have surfeited of wholesome food. 

And if neither I, nor you, be ever restored to 
our right, but God in his severest justice, will 
punish My subjects with continuance in their 
sinne, and suffer them to be deluded with the 
prosperity of their wickednesse; 1 hope God will 
give Me, and you, that grace, which will teach 
and enable us, to want, as well as to wear a 
crowne, which is not worth taking up, or enjoyr 
ing upon sordid, dishonourable, and irreligious 
terms. 

Keep you to true principles of pietie, vertue, 
and honour, you shall never want a kingdome. 

A principall point of your honour will consist 
in your deferring all respect, love, and protection 
to your mother. My wife; who hath many waies 
deserved well of Me, and chiefly in this, that 
(having been a means to blesse Me with so many 
hopefull children ; all which, with their mother, 
I recommend to your love and care.) She hath 
been content with incomparable magnanimity 
and patience to suffer both for, and with Me, 
and you. 

My prayer to God Almighty is, (whatever be- 


280 EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 

comes of Me, who am, I thanke God, wrapt up 
and fortified in My owne innocency, and his 
Grace) that He would be pleased to make you an 
anchor, or harbour rather, to these tossed and 
weather-beaten kingdomes ; a repairer by your 
wisdome, justice, pietie, and valour, of what the 
folly and wickednesse of some men have so farre 
ruined, as to leave nothing entire in Church or 
State; to the crowne, the nobility, the clergy, or 
the commons ; either as to lawes, liberties, es¬ 
tates, order, honour, conscience, or lives. 

When they have destroyed Me, (for I know 
not how farre God may permit the malice and 
cruelty of My enemies to proceed, and such ap¬ 
prehensions some mens words and actions have 
already given Me) as I doubt not but My bloud 
will cry aloud for vengeance to heaven; so I 
beseech God not to poure out his wrath upon the 
generality of the people, who have either de¬ 
serted Me, or engaged against Me, through the 
artifice and hypocrisie of their leaders, whose 
inward horrour will be their first tormentor, nor 
will they escape exemplary judgements. 

For those that loved Me, I pray God, they may 
have no misse of Me, when I am gone ; so much 
I wish and hope, that all good subjects may be 


EIKQN BA2IA1KH. 


281 


satisfied with the blessings of your presence and 
vertues. 

For those that repent of any defects in their 
duty towards Me, as I freely forgive them in the 
word of a Christian King, so I believe you will 
find them truly zealous, to repay with interest 
that loyalty and love to you, which was due to 
Me. 

In summe, what good I intended, doe you per- 
forme, when God shall give you power: much 
good I have offered, more I purposed to Church 
and State, if times had been capable of it. 

The deception will soone vanish, and the vi¬ 
zards will fall off apace; this maske of religion 
on the face of rebellion (for so it now plainly 
appears, since My restraint and cruell usage, 
that they sought not for Me, as was pretended) 
will not long serve to hide some mens deformi¬ 
ties. 

Happy times, I hope, attend you, wherein your 
subjects (by their miseries) will have learned, 
that religion to their God , and loyalty to their King, 
cannot be parted without both their sinne and their 
infelicity . 

I pray God blesse you, and establish your 
kingdomes in righteousnesse, your soule in true 


282 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


religion, and your honour in the love of God and 
your people. 

And if God will have disloyalty perfected by 
My destruction ; let My memory ever, with My 
name, live in you; as of your father, that loves 
you: and once a King of three flourishing king- 
domes : whom God thought fit to honour, not 
onely with the scepter and government of them, 
but also with the suffering many indignities, and 
an untimely death for them ; while I studied to 
preserve the rights of the Church, the power of 
the lawes, the honour of My crowne, the privi- 
ledge of Parliaments, the liberties of My people, 
and My owne conscience, which, I thanke God, 
is dearer to Me then a thousand kingdomes. 

i know God can, I hope he yet will restore Me 
to My rights. 1 cannot despaire either of His 
mercy, or of My peoples love and pity. 

At worst, I trust I shall but go before you to 
a better Kingdome, which God hath prepared 
for Me, and Me for it, through My Saviour Jesus 
Christ, to whose mercies I commend you and all 
Mine. 

Farewell, tilt we meet again, if not on Earth, 
yet in Heaven. 


EIKUN BA1IAIKH. 


283 


XXVIII. MEDITATIONS LPON DEATH, AFTER THE 
VOTES OF NON-ADDRESSES, AND HIS MAJESTIES 
CLOSER IMPRISONMENT IN CARISBROOKE-CASTLE. 

As I have leisure enough, so I have cause more 
then enough to meditate upon, and prepare for 
My death : for I know there are but few steps 
between the prisons and graves of princes. 

It is Gods indulgence, which gives Me the 
space, but mans cruelty, that gives Me the sad 
occasions for these thoughts. 

For, besides the common burthen of mortality, 
which lies upon Me, as a man; I now beare the 
heavy load of other mens ambitions, feares, jea¬ 
lousies, and cruell passions, whose envy or en r 
mity against Me makes their owne lives seem 
deadly to them, while I enjoy any part of Mine. 

I thank God, My prosperity made Me not 
wholly a stranger to the contemplations of mor¬ 
tality : 

Those are never unseasonable, since this is 
alwaies uncertaine : death being an eclipse, 
which oft happeneth as well in clear, as cloudy 
daies. 

But My now long and sharp adversity hath so 
reconciled in Me those naturall antipathies be- 


284 


EIKtiN BAZIAIKH. 


tween life and death, which are in all men, that, 
I thank God, the common terrours of it are dis¬ 
pelled ; and the special horrour of it, as to My 
particular much allayed : for, although My 
death at present may justly be represented to 
Me with all those terrible aggravations, which 
the policy of cruell and implacable enemies can 
put upon it, (affaires being drawn to the very 
dregs of malice) yet I blesse God, I can look 
upon all those stings, as unpoysonous,tho sharp ; 
since My Redeemer hath either pulled them out, 
or given Me the antidote of his death against 
them; which as to the immaturity, injustice, 
shame, scorne, and cruelty of it exceeded, what¬ 
ever I can fear. 

Indeed, I never did find so much, the life of 
religion, the feast of a good conscience, and the 
brazen wall of a judicious integrity and con¬ 
stancy, as since I came to these closer conflicts 
with the thoughts of death. 

I am not so old, as to be weary of life ; nor (I 
hope) so bad, as to be either afraid to die; or 
ashamed to live: true, I am so afflicted, as might 
make Me sometime even desire to die; if I did 
not consider, that it is the greatest glory of a 
Christians life to die daily, in conquering by a 


EIKQN' EAIIAIKH.' 


285 


lively faith, and patient hopes of a better life ; 
those partiall and quotidian deaths, which kill 
us (as it were) by piece-meales, and make us 
overlive our owne fates ; while we are deprived 
of health, honour, liberty, power, credit, safety, or 
estate ; and those other comforts of dearest re¬ 
lations, which are as the life of our lives. 

Tho, as a King, I think My selfe to live in 
nothing temporall so much, as in the love and 
good-will of My people; for which, as I have 
suffered many deaths, so I hope I am not in that 
point as yet wholly dead: notwithstanding, My 
enemies have used all the poyson of falsity and 
violence of hostility to destroy, first the love and 
loyalty, which is in My subjects ; and then all 
that content of life in Me, which from these I 
chiefly enjoyed. 

Indeed, they have left Me but little of life, and 
onely the husk and shell (as it were) which their 
further malice and cruelty can take from Me ; 
having bereaved Me of all those worldly com¬ 
forts, for which life it selfe seems desirable to 
men. 

But, O My soule ! think not that life too long, 
or tedious, wherein God gives thee any oppor¬ 
tunities, if not to doe, yet to suffer w r ith such 


286 


EIKQX EA2IAIKH. 


Christian patience and magnanimity in a good 
cause, as are the greatest honour of our lives, 
and the best improvement of our deaths. 

I know that in point of true Christian valour, it 
argues pusillanimity to desire to die out of weari- 
nesse of life ; and a want of that heroick great- 
nesse of spirit which becomes a Christian in the 
patient and generous sustaining those afflictions, 
which as shadows necessarily attend us, while 
we are in this body; and which are lessened or 
enlarged as the sunne of our prosperity moves 
higher, or lower: whose totall absence is best 
recompensed with the dew of Heaven. 

The assaults of affliction may be terrible, like 
Sampsons lyon, but they yield much sweetnesse 
to those that dare to encounter and overcome 
them ; who know how' to overlive the w ither- 
ings of their gourds without discontent or 
peevishnesse, while they may yet converse with 
God. 

That I must die as a man, is certain ; that I 
may die a King, by the hands of My ow r ne sub¬ 
jects, a violent, sodain, and barbarous death ; in 
the strength of My years; in the midst of My 
kingdomes ; My friends and loving subjects 
being helplesse spectators ; My enemies insolent 


EIKQN EA21 AIKH. 


287 


revilers and triumphers over Me, living, dying, 
and dead, is so probable in humane reason, that 
God hath taught Me not to hope otherwise, as 
to mans cruelty; however, I despaire not of Gods 
infinite mercy. 

I know My life is the object of the devils and 
wicked mens malice; but yet under Gods sole 
custody and disposall: whom I doe not think to 
flatter for longer life by seeming prepared to 
die; but I humbly desire to depend upon him, 
and to submit to his will both in life and death, 
in what order soever he is pleased to lay them 
out to Me. I confesse it is not easie for Me to 
contend with those many horrours of death, 
wherewith God suffers Me to be tempted ; which 
are equally horrid, either in the suddennesse of 
a barbarous assasination ; or in those greater 
formalities, whereby My enemies (being more 
solemnly cruell) will, it may be, seeke to adde 
(as those did, who crucified Christ) the mockery 
of justice, to the cruelty of malice: that I may 
be destroyed, as with greater pomp and artifice, 
so with lesse pity, it will be but a necessary 
policy to make My death appear as an act of 
justice, done by subjects upon their soveraigne ; 



28$ 


EIKGN BA2IAIKH. 


who know that no law of God or man invests 
them with any power of judicature without Me, 
much lesse against Me : and who, being sworne 
and bound by all that is sacred before God and 
man, to endeavour My preservation, must pre¬ 
tend justice to cover their perjury. 

It is, indeed, a sad fate for any man to have 
his enemies, to be accusers, parties, and judges; 
but most desperate, when this is acted by the 
insolence of subjects against their soveraigne; 
wherein those, who have had the chiefest hand, 
and are most guilty of contriving the publique 
troubles, must by shedding My bloud seem to 
wash their owne hands of that innocent bloud, 
whereof they are now most evidently guilty 
before God and man; and I believe in their 
owne consciences too, while they carried on un¬ 
reasonable demands, first by tumults, after by 
armies. Nothing makes mean spirits more cow- 
ardly-cruell in managing their usurped power 
against their lawfull superiours, then this, the 
guilt of their unjust usurpation; notwithstanding, 
those specious and popular pretensions of justice 
against delinquents, applied onely to disguise at 
first the monstrousnesse of their designes, who 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


2S9 


despaired, indeed, of possessing the power and 
profits of the vineyard, till the heire, whose right 
it is, be cast out and slaine. 

With them. My greatest fault must be, that I 
would not either destroy My selfe with the 
Church and State by My word, or not suffer 
them to doe it unresisted by the sword; whose 
covetous ambition no concessions of Mine could 
ever yet, either satisfie, or abate. 

Nor is it likely they will ever think, that king- 
dome of brambles, which some men seek to erect 
(at once, weak, sharp, and fruitlesse, either to 
God or man) is like to thrive till watered with 
the royall bloud of those, whose right the king- 
dome is. 

Well, Gods will be done, I doubt not but My 
innocency will find him both My protectour, and 
My advocate, who is My onely Judge, whom I 
owne as King of Kings, not onely for the emi- 
nency of his power and majesty above them, but 
also for that singular care and protection, which 
he hath over them: who knowes them to be ex¬ 
posed to as many dangers (being the greatest 
patrons of lawe, justice, order, and religion on 
earth) as there be either men or devils, which 
love confusion. 

u 


EIKQN BASIAIKH. 


290 

Nor will lie suffer those men long to prosper 
in their Babel, who build it with the bones and 
cement it with the bloud of their kings. 

I am confident they will find avengers of My 
death among themselves: the injuries I have 
sustained from them shall be first punished by 
them, who agreed in nothing so much as in op¬ 
posing Me. 

Their impatience to beare the loud cry of My 
bloud, shall make them think no way better to 
expiate it, then by shedding theirs, who with 
them, most thirsted after Mine. 

The sad confusions following My destruction, 
are already presaged and confirmed to Me by 
those I have lived to see since My troubles ; in 
which, God alone (who onely could) hath many 
waies pleaded My cause * not suffering them to 
go unpunished, whose confederacy in sinne was 
their onely security ; who have cause to feare 
that God will both further divide, and by mutuall 
vengeance, afterward destroy them. 

My greatest conquest of death is from the 
power and love of Christ, who hath swallow’d 

up death in the victory of his resurrection, and 
the glory of his ascension. 

My next comfort is, that he gives Me not onely 


EIKQX BASIAIKH. 


201 


the honour to imitate his example in suffering for 
righteousnesse sake, (tho obscured by the foulest 
charges of tyranny and injustice) but also, that 
charity, which is the noblest revenge upon, and 
victory over My destroyers : by which, I thanke 
God, I can both forgive them, and pray for them, 
that God would not impute My bloud to them 
further then to convince them, what need they 
have of Christs bloud to wash their soules from 
the guilt of shedding Mine. 

At present, the will of My enemies seems to 
be their onely rule, their power the measure, and 
their successe the exactor of what they please to 
call justice; while they flatter themselves with 
the fancy of their owne safety by My danger, 
and the security of their lives and designes by 
My death : forgetting, that as the greatest 
temptations to sinne are wrapped up in seeming 
prosperities, so the severest vengeances of God 
are then most accomplished, when men are suf¬ 
fered to compleat their wicked purposes. 

I blesse God, I pray not so much, that this 
bitter cup of a violent death may passe from Me, 
as that of his wrath may passe from all those, 
whose hands by deserting Me, are sprinkled, or 

u 2 


292 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


by acting and consenting to My death are em- 
brued with My bloud. 

The will of God hath confined, and concluded 
Mine; I shall have the pleasure of dying, with¬ 
out any pleasure of desired vengeance. 

This I think becomes a Christian toward his 
enemies, and a King toward his subjects. 

They cannot deprive Me of more then I am 
content to lose, when God sees fit by their hands 
to take it from Me ; whose-mercy I believe, will 
more then infinitely recompence what ever by 
mans injustice he is pleased to deprive Me of. 

The glory attending My death will farre sur- 
passe all I could enjoy, or conceive in life. 

I shall not want the heavy and envied crownes 
of this world, when My God hath mercifully 
crowned and consummated his graces with 
glory; and exchanged the shadows of My earthly 
kingdomes among men, for the substance of that 
heavenly kingdome with himselfe. 

For the censures of the world; I know the 
sharp and necessary tyranny of My destroyers 
will sufficiently confute the calumnies of ty¬ 
ranny against Me; I am perswaded I am happy 
in the judicious love of the ablest and best of 


K1KQN BA1IAIKH. 


293 


My subjects, who doe not onely pity and pray 
for Me, but would be content even to die with 
Me, or for Me. 

these know how to excuse My failings, as a 
man, and yet to retaine, and pay their duty to 
Me as their King’; there being no religious ne- 
cessity binding any subjects by pretending to 
punish, infinitely to exceed, the faults and errours 
ot their princes ; especially there, where more 
then sufficient satisfaction hath been made to 
the publique ; the enjoyment of which, private 
ambitions have hitherto frustrated. 

Others, I believe, of softer tempers, and lesse 
advantaged by My ruine, doe already feel sharp 
convictions, and some remorse in their con¬ 
sciences ; where they cannot but see the pro¬ 
portions of their evill dealings against Me in the 
measure of Gods retaliations upon them, who 
cannot hope long to enjoy their owne thumbs 
and toes, having under pvetence of paring others 
nailes been so cruell as to cut off their chiefest 
strength. 

The punishment of the more insolent and ob¬ 
stinate mav be like that of Korah and his com- 
plices (at once mutining against both prince and 
priest) in such a method of divine justice, as is 


294 


EIKQN BA2IA1KH. 


not ordinary; the earth of the lowest and meanest 
people opening upon them, and swallowing them 
up in a just disdaine of their ill-gotten and 
worse-used authority: upon whose support and 
strength they chiefly depended for their building 
and establishing their designes against Me, the 
Church, and State, 

My chiefest comfort in death consists in My 
peace, which I trust, is made with God ; before 
whose exact tribunal I shall not feare to appeare, 
as to the cause so long disputed by the sword, 
between Me and My causelesse enemies: where 
I doubt not, but his righteous judgement will 
confute their fallacy, who from worldly successe 
(rather like sophisters, then sound Christians) 
draw those popular conclusions for Gods appro¬ 
bation of their actions; whose wise providence 
(we know) oft permits many events, which his 
revealed word (the onely cleare, safe, and fixed 
rule of good actions and good consciences) in no 
sort approves. 

I am confident the justice of My cause, and 
clearnesse of My conscience before God and 
toward My people will carry Me, as much above 
them in Gods decision, as their successes have 
lifted them above Me in the vulgar opinion: who 


EIKUN BASIAIKH. 


295 


consider not, that many times those undertak¬ 
ings of men are lifted up to Heaven in the pros¬ 
perity and applause of the world, whose rise is 
from Hell, as to the injuriousnesse and oppres¬ 
sion of the designe. The prosperous winds 
which oft fill the sayles of pirats, doth notjus- 
tifie their piracy and rapine. 

I look upon it with infinite more content and 
quiet of soule, to have been worsted in My en¬ 
forced contestation for, and vindication of the 
lawes of the land, the freedome and honour of 
Parliaments, the rights of My crowne, the just 
liberty of My subjects, and the true Christian 
religion in its doctrine, government and due en¬ 
couragements, then if 1 had, with the greatest 
advantages of successe, overborne them all; as 
some men have now evidently done, whatever 
designes they at first pretended. 

The prayers and patience of My friends and 
loving subjects will contribute much to the 
sweetning of this bitter cup, which I doubt not 
but I shall more cheerfully take, and think as 
from Gods hand (if it must be so) then they can 
give it to Me, whose hands are unjustly and bar¬ 
barously lifted up against Me. 


* 


2‘)6 


EIIvQN BA2IAIKH'. 


And, as to the last event, I may seem to owe 
more to My enemies, then My friends ; while 
those will put a period to the sinnes and sor- 
rowes attending this miserable life; wherewith 
these desire I might still contend. 

I shall be more then conquerour through 
Christ enabling Me ; for whom I have hitherto 
suffered : as He is the Authour of truth, order, 
and peace ; for all which I have been forced to 
contend, against errour, faction, and confu¬ 
sion. 

If I must suffer a violent death, with My Sa¬ 
viour, it is but mortality crowned with martyr- 
dome : where the debt of death, which I owe for 
sinne to nature, shall be raised as a gift of faith 
and patience offered to God. 

Which I humbly beseech him mercifully to 
accept; and although death be the wages of 
My owne sinne, as from God, and the effect of 
others sinnes, as men, both against God and 
Me; yet as I hope My owne sinnes are so re¬ 
mitted, that they shall be no ingredients to im- 
bitter the cup of My death, so I desire God to 
pardon their sinnes, who are most guilty of My 
destruction. 


EIK12N BASIAIKH. 


297 


Tlie trophees of My charity will be more glo¬ 
rious and durable over them, then their ill- 
managed victories over Me. 

Tho their sinne be prosperous, yet they had 
need to be penitent; that they may be pardoned: 
both which I pray God they may obtain; that 
My temporall death unjustly inflicted by them, 
may not be revenged by Gods just inflicting 
eternal 1 death upon them : for I looke upon the 
temporall destruction of the greatest King, as' 
farre lesse deprecable, then the eternall damna¬ 
tion of the meanest subject. 

Nor doe I wish other, then the safe bringing 
of the ship to shore, when they have cast Me 
overboard ; tho it be very strange, that mariners 
can finde no other means to appease the storm 
themselves have raised but by drowning their 
pilot. 

I thanke God, My enemies cruelty cannot 
prevent My preparation; whose malice in this I 
shall defeat, that they shall not have the satisfac¬ 
tion to have destroyed My soule with My body; 
of whose salvation while some of them have 
themselves seemed, and taught others to des- 
paire, they have onely discovered this, that they 
doe not much desire it. 


2‘)8 


E1K12N BA2IAIKH. 


Whose uncharitable and cruell restraints, 
denying Me even the assistance of any of My 
chaplaines, hath rather enlarged ; then any way 
obstructed My accesse to the Throne of Heaven. 

Where thou dwellest, O King of Kings: who 
fillest Heaven and Earthy who art the fountaine of 
eternall life, in whom is no shadow of death. 

Thou O God art both the just inflicter of death 
upon us, and the mere full Saviour of us in it, and 
from it. 

Yea, it is better for us to be dead to our selves, 
and live in thee: then by living in our selves to be 
deprived of thee. 

O make the many bitter aggravations of My 
death as a man, and a King, the opportunities and 
advantages of thy speciall graces and comforts' in 
My soule, as a Christian. 

If thou Lord ivilt be with Me, I shall neither 
feare nor feele any evill, tho I walke through the 
valley of the shadow of death. 

To contend ivith death is the worke of a weake 
and mortall man : to overcome it, is the grace of 
thee alone, who art the Almighty and immortall 
God. 

O My Saviour, icho knowest what it is to die with 


EIKQN BA21AIKH. 


2i)i) 

Me as a man; make Me to know what it is to passe 
through death to life with thee My God . 

Tho I die, yet I know that thou My Redeemer 
livest for ever: tho thou slayest Me, yet thou hast 
incouraged Me to trust in thee for eternal'I life. 

O withdraw not thy favour from Me, which is 
better then life. 

O be notfarre from Me, for I know not how near 
a violent and cruell death is to Me. 

j4s thy Omniscience, O God, discovers, so thy 
Omnipotence can defeat the designes of those, who 
have, or shall conspire My destruction. 

O shew Me the goodnesse of thy will, through the 
wickednesse of theirs. 

Thou givest Me leave as a man to pray, that this 
cup may passe from Me; but thou hast taught Me 
as a Christian by the example of Christ to adde, 
not My will, but thine be done. 

Yea Lord, let our wills be one, by wholly resolving 
Mine into thine : let not the desire of life in Me be 
so great, as that of doing or suffering thy will in 
either life or death . 

As I believe thou hast forgiven all the errours of 
My life, so I hope thou wilt save Me from the ter - 
rout's of My death . 


300 


E1RQN BA21AIKH. 


Make Me content to leave the worlds nothing, 
that I may come really to enjoy all in thee, ivho hast 
made Christ unto Me in life, gaine; and in death, 
advantage. 

Tho My destroyers forget their duty to thee and 
Me, yet doe not thou, O Lord, forget to he mere full 
to them. 

For, what profit is there in My hloud, or in their 
gaining My kingdomes, if they lose their owne 
soules? 

Such as have not onely resisted My just power, 
but wholly usurped and turned it against My selj'e, 
tho they may deserve, yet let them not receive to 
themselves damnation. 

Thou madest thy Sonne a Saviour to many, that 
crucified Him, while at once lie suffered violently by 
them, and yet willingly for them. 

O let the voice of his blond be heard, for My 
murtherers, louder then the cry of Mine against 
them. 

Prepare them for thy mercy by due cojivictions 
of their sinne, and let them not at once deceive and 
damne their owne soules by fallacious pretensions 
of justice in destroying Me, while the conscience 
oj ' their unjust usurpation of power against Me, 


EIKQN BASIAIKH. 


301 


chiefly tempts them to use all extremities against 
Me. 

O Lord, thou knowest I have found their mercies 
to Me as very false, so very cruell; who pretending 
to preserve Me, have meditated nothing but My 
ruine. 

' O deale not with them as blond-thirsty and deceit- 
full men ; but overcome their cruelty with thy com¬ 
passion and My charity. 

And when thou makest inquisition for My blond, 
O sprinkle their polluted, yet penitent soules, with the 
bloud of thy Sonne, that thy destroying angel may 
passe over them. 

Thoxthey think My kingdomes on earth too little 
to entertaine at once both them and Me, yet let the 
capacious kingdome of thy infinite mercy at last re¬ 
ceive both Me and My enemies . 

When being reconciled to thee in the bloud of 
the same Redeemer, we shall live fane above these 
ambitious desires, which beget such mortall en¬ 
mities. 

When their hands shall be heaviest, and crudest 
upon Me, O let Me fall into the armes of thy tender 
and eternall mercies. 

That what is cut off' of My life in this miserable 


302 


EIKQN BA2IAIKH. 


moment, may be repayed in thy ever-blessed eter¬ 
nity . 

Lord, let thy servant depart in peace, for My eyes 
have seen thy salvation, 

Vota dabunt, qua* bella negarunt. 


THE END. 


Printed by It. Gilbert, St. John’s Square, London. 


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